Mamata Banerjee doesn't want Tatas to pull out of Singur

Kolkata, Sept 16 : Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday said that she didn't want the Tatas to pull out of Singur.

While addressing a rally at Singur, Banerjee said, "I don't want the Tatas to pull out of Singur, but I am not bothered either. However, the main plant can be set up on 600 acres and the ancillary on 100 acres."

She demanded that the West Bengal Government should honour the 'gentleman's agreement' on Singur reached between the government and her party at Raj Bhavan and was chaired by West Bengal Governor Gopalkrishna Gandhi.

"The Trinamool Congress is waiting for the Governor to return from Delhi on September 19," said Banerjee, and added, "We will speak to the Governor on September 19 and then decide our future course of action, which may be resumption of our movement."

Banerjee further stated that the government should not forget that they had not withdrawn the sit-in protest but only suspended it.

Meanwhile, 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.

According to the new rehabilitation package those farmers whose land had been acquired but have not taken money would be given 50 per cent extra compensation, in addition to the 10 per cent offered earlier if they accept it by September 22.

However, Banerjee said that she would not budge from her demand that 300 acres of land from within the main plant area and 100 acres from outside be immediately returned to farmers whose land was 'forcibly acquired'.

Trouble began after the West Bengal government acquired 1000 acres of farmland for the Tata Motors' ''Nano'' small car plant at Singur last year.

The government offered compensation, which some farmers rejected and the state's main opposition TMC has been demanding that at least 400 acres be returned to farmers.

The government says it is in favour of a land-based solution for farmers but against disturbing the Tata Motors plant site.

ANI