Govt and Opposition coming close to an agreement over Singur

Kolkata, Sep 6 (UNI) The possibility of arriving at an amicable solution to the Singur imbroglio seemed in the offing today with both the state government and the Opposition coming close to an agreement over land-based rehabilitation for land losers.

Talking to reporters after the second round of discussion at Raj Bhawan to unwind the Nano tangle, Governor Gopalkrishna Gandhi said, ''On the second day of discussion, the two panels representing the Government and the Opposition respectively went into greater details on the prospects of a land-based rehabilitation scheme in and around the Singur project site.'' ''The progress has been conveyed by the panels to the Chief Minister and Mamata Banerjee. I trust the discussion, which was marked by cordiality and frankness, will lead to a satisfactory conclusion either tomorrow or day after tomorrow,'' Mr Gandhi stated.

Trinamool Congress leader Partha Chatterjee ruled out any compromise on Singur land, but said talks were not negative.

''We will not go for any compromise on land, but talks are not negative. Talks will again take place either tomorrow or Monday,'' Mr Chatterjee asserted.

''I will first report to Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee about today's discussion and then a final decision will be taken,'' the Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly stated.

However, representatives from the state government side were not available for any comment.

Sources close to Raj Bhawan said both sides bought time to bargain on the question of providing land to the land losers.

The state government had agreed to provide land for rehabilitation of all the affected people outside the project side, sources added.

The Opposition was trying to get as much land as possible, sources stated.

The Governor would meet the Chief Minister tomorrow to have discussion on Singur.

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