As Tatas shift, Buddha loses hope

West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee on Thursday told his Cabinet colleagues that not much hope is left...

West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee on Thursday told his Cabinet colleagues that not much hope is left for the rollout of the Nano from the Tata factory in Singur.

At the end of the Cabinet meeting, Bhattacharjee8217;s Cabinet colleagues wanted to know from the Chief Minister if the Tatas were really pulling out from Singur. Buddhadeb who was said to be looking distinctly in 8220;despair8221;, reportedly replied: 8220;The situation in Singur has deteriorated to such a point that there is hardly any hope of the Nano rolling out from there. Hope for Singur is almost lost.8221;

Following the CM8217;s briefing on the grim status of the Singur plant, it was unanimously decided by the Cabinet that a joint appeal will be made to Tata Motors, urging them to stay in Singur. Accordingly an appeal was issued: 8220;The Cabinet appeals to the Tata Motors authority not to withdraw from West Bengal.8221; The statement also assured all help and cooperation to the company. In Singur, a massive rally was taken out on hursday afternoon by the CPIM and pro-Tata factory supporters. Villagers carried posters saying: 8220;We want Tata to stay.8221;

According to official sources in the Chief Minister8217;s secretariat, there are two major concerns for Bhattacharjee at the moment. First, the Tatas are holding regular discussions with CMs of other states, evidently to look for alternative sites to shift the Nano plant. Secondly, the new compensation package offered to unwilling farmers, has virtually been rejected by a majority of them. Of a total of 2,251 unwilling farmers, only 69 accepted the new package.

Meanwhile, there were telltale signs of the Tatas shifting gear from Singur. Local residents and police officials confirmed that in the past couple of days a huge quantity of machinery and plant equipment had been moved out. It appears as if this will continue and the scale of trans-shipment would only increase. All indications suggested that Pune Tata Motors factory is going to be the alternative launch pad for Nano.

8220;They people of West Bengal desire and deserve a solution to the issue. They have confidence in those who are dealing with the issue,8221; West Bengal Governor Gopalkrishna Gandhi reiterated.