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Journalism of Courage
In the first public comment since his discharge from hospital, former chief minister Jyoti Basu has asked the Opposition to coordinate with the government over the Singur issue.
He said those who have halted work at Tata Motors should keep in mind that the revised compensation package will benefit the disposed farmers there.
8220;If the Singur project is allowed to go ahead, it will mean industrial and financial development for Bengal. More investors will be encouraged to come to the state and the job market will grow. The Singur project is for the people, not against them. To make it a success, we need cooperation from all sections of people,8221; Basu said in a statement.
The CPM, meanwhile, expressed concern over the Singur impasse, saying the people there wanted the Nano factory to stay. Addressing the media after the CPM state secretariat meeting, party state secretary Biman Bose said: 8220;We are concerned. The people of the state should know who are against development.8221; He said the considerable turnout at the Left Front pro-Tata Motors rally in Singur on September 15 was an indicator of it.
8220;Amar Halder, our Burdwan district committee secretary, was leading a big procession, but it was stranded on the Durgapur Expressway owing to the massive turnout of people. Such an enormous crowd would not have been possible if people did not want the plant,8221; Bose said. He said the Karnataka government8217;s offer of land to Tata Motors is not impractical. 8220;Those who want to set up industry can decide where they will look for land. The people should decide what is to be done about those who do not want the state to prosper,8221; he added.
