‘Govt affidavit mum when state took over Singur land’

Challenging the Singur Land Rehabilitation and Development Act,Tata Motors’ counsel Samaraditya Pal in the High Court on Tuesday said the affidavit filed by the state government and district magistrate of Hoogly was silent on the time when the state took over the possession of the land from Tata Motors at Singur on June 21.According to Pal,the police reached the Singur site at 5 pm on June 21 while Partha Chatterjee,the Industry Minister,had announced about the consent given by the Governor to the new act at a press conference at 6 pm on June 21.

The affidavit of the state government does not mention about the time at which the possession was taken over,he alleged. ‘’But it can be assumed from the submission of the state that possession was taken over before 8.30 pm,” Pal alleged. “The report filed by the DM,Hoogly revealed the SP received the instruction to take care of the Singur site at 8.30 pm which indicates the possession was taken over before 8.30pm,” he said. Pal pointed out that the state government did not give any time to the Tata Motors before taking possession over the land. The notice was send to Tata Motors on June 22 by speed post which was received by the company on June 28,said Pal. ENS