Buddha ready for a last try

The meeting between the two is likely to be held at the Writers8217; Buildings and the stakes involved for both are high, said senior government officials. The fate of the plant is to be decided in this crucial meet, which will also be attended by Commerce and Industries Minister Nirupam Sen, and other senior government officials.

Though the state government has assured the Tatas that it will provide all administrative help to them to ensure protection, the latter has made it clear that they will not run the factory under police protection.

While former captain of the Indian cricket team Sourav Ganguly has also written to Ratan Tata requesting him to resume work at the plant, Governor Gopalkrishna Gandhi said he still had hopes for a way out. 8220;Like the Prime Minister I am also hopeful of a solution for Singur. People of West Bengal desire and deserve a solution,8221; the Governor said at Gandhighat at Barrackpore on Thursday, where he went to offer homage to Mahatma Gandhi.

Last week, the state Cabinet issued a statement requesting the Tatas not to shift their plant. It also requested the Opposition to accept the compensation package announced by the government.

A section of the CPM leadership is also peeved at Tata8217;s threat. CPM parliamentarian Hannan Mollah said: 8220;How can they leave after going so far? It will be an injustice

to us.8221;

According to the package, the government is willing to arrange for 70 acres of land from within the project area and an additional 50 per cent of the award money has been offered to all the dispossessed farmers. In addition, the government will arrange for rehabilitation of these farmers.

Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee, however, continues to stick to her demand of returning 300 acres of land from within the project area and 100 acres from outside the project.

State government officials indicated that with all options exhausted, the chief minister will be taking a tough stand should there be any more disruptions to functioning of the plant. Due to violent protests by Trinamool-led Krishi Jomi Raksha Committee and the dharna work at the site had to be suspended.

8220;The government so far had adopted a soft approach while dealing with the protestors. The Durgapur Expressway was blocked for 20 days, employees working at the plant had been beaten up. The administration has shown slackness. Now the government will act tough. And that is what the chief minister is going to tell the Tatas,8221; a senior minister told The Indian Express.

CII chief mentor Tarun Das on the singur imbroglio:
8220;The situation in Singur is unfortunate and the solution to the present stand-off lies with Ms Mamata Banerjee8230; The Nano is a unique project and the Tatas have to be credited with its right to design its plant. Any forced change to its plan of implementation will delay the launch of the Nano and also impact the cost, which will disappoint thousands of people across the country aspiring to own a safe four wheel personal transportation. Presently, the ideas for the implementation of the project is being offered by individuals who have no experience in developing an automobile manufacturing plant and definitely no perspective on a unique product like the Nano8230; The future of the state lies in developing a strong manufacturing sector creating several jobs for the people of the state.8221;
8212; ENS