Guv reposes faith in govt, opposition to solve Singur tangle

Kolkata, Sep 25 (UNI) In contrast to his earlier observations on the Singur stalemate, West Bengal Governor Gopalkrishna Gandhi today said he had confidence in both the state government as well as the Opposition to resolve the issue amicably.

Interacting with mediapersons after addressing the 154th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) here, the Governor said, ''I have confidence in the people dealing with the issue, which should be resolved at the earliest.'' Mr Gandhi said the economic development of the state largely depended on the small car project and the people of the state wanted an early solution to the imbroglio.

''The people of West Bengal desire and deserve an early solution to the problem posing a threat to industrialisation in the state,'' he opined.

The Governor's remarks came a day after his veiled criticism of the state government for its handling of the issue, holding it responsible for the ''delayed dialogue''.

Maintaining that a dialogue should have been held much earlier and not when a crisis was at hand, Mr Gandhi had expressed his unhappiness with the state government's dealing of the issue.

''The first imperative is that of a dialogue, not when a crisis hangs overhead, but well in advance,'' said Mr Gandhi, who had mediated a series of talks on the issue between Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee and Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee between September 5 and 7.

The Governor said, ''Policy-makers should keep in mind that the farming community has a mind of its own and they should think carefully before providing arable land for industrial ventures.'' UNI ADG PL DB MIR RN1628