WB govt. raises land compensation by 50 percent for Singur farmers

Kolkata, Sept 14 : The West Bengal Government on Sunday offered greater financial assistance to those affected by Tata Motors car project in Singur to buy peace, due to the limitations on the area of land it can return to farmers.

On Saturday, the government made it clear that it would not be able to return more than 70 acres of land to farmers, although the Trinamool Congress (TMC) has been demanding that 300 acres be given back.

The State offered 50 per cent more compensation to those who had sold their land to enable them buy agricultural land elsewhere in a public announcement.

The government said, "The benefit is 50 per cent of land price determined by the land acquisition collector at the time of land acquisition,"

Moreover, those affected by the 'Nano' project would be eligible for 300 days wages at National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) rate, subject to verification of residence status.

The government further added that it would arrange for training and endeavours to provide direct or indirect employment for one person per project-affected family having no regular job or income and would carry out various community development schemes in the project affected villages.

Meanwhile, on Saturday talks over return of land to end protest against the project collapsed and the TMC chief Mamata Banerjee called for a march to Singur on September 16.

Further, Banerjee would announce revival of the agitation against the project on September 19.

ANI