Tata Motors moves equipment out of Singur factory

Singur/Dehradun, Sept 26 : Tata Motors has begun moving equipment out from its factory in Singur due to the prolonged disruption of work. "We were asked to remove machineries as the work is anyway stalled. There are a lot of problems here, and it doesn't seem the work will begin," said Rajiv, a worker.

Meanwhile, West Bengal Industries Minister Nirupam Sen reportedly told the state Cabinet that there is little possibility of the Tata's Nano car project taking off from Singur.

Some vendors were seen moving their equipment over the past few days from the project site, where work has remained suspended for over three weeks.

Sources said the equipment was carted out from the plant to the company's plant in Pantnagar in Uttarakhand.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister B C Khanduri said he would be glad if Tata's rolls out the Nano from his state.

"I am not aware of his demand, whatever they may be, we will deliberate on that. We will be happy if Nano rolls out from our state," said Khanduri.

Tata Motors officials, who held meetings with the state officials, however, denied that talks were on for a new plant site.

"We have asked for land for residential purpose. There were no talks about land for setting up plant here," said A S Puri, General Manager, Tata Motors.

Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee, who is demanding the return of the land "forcibly" acquired from farmers, has placed fresh demands before State Governor Gopalkrishna Gandhi.

Mamata has rejected a package offered by the State Government that envisages sustained economic rehabilitation for all farmers whose land has been acquired.

She has also demanded that Article 355 be invoked if the Government failed to abide by the September 7 agreement, initiated by the Governor, on the return of land.

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

The Government offered compensation, which some farmers rejected and the Trinamool Congress 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