Tata Motors’ project: LF govt steps on gas

Section 9 gives the government the power to acquire the land even if objections are filed, and is the usual second step when land is being acquired for any important project.

Rezzak Mollah, the state Land and Land Reforms Minister who has been objecting to indiscriminate acquisition of fertile farmland for industry, said they had received some objections. ‘‘But no one attended the first hearing today,’’ he said, adding, ‘‘We shall wait another four days and then impose Section 9.’’

In the normal process, the government notifies the plots it wishes to acquire and then seeks objections, if any, all in line with Section 4 of the Bengal Land Acquisition Act of 1894. For the Tata Motors project, the government had gone out of its way to seek the consent of the land-holders. Around 609 landowners sent in their consent, while the government received 293 objections.

According to the schedule, hearings were to be held from August 22 to 25 to determine the status of those objecting to the acquisition. The government had served notices to all the 293 who had objected but the notices were returned as ‘‘not received’’.

Nobody attended the hearing on Tuesday.

Benoy Konar, veteran farmers’ leader and CPI(M) central committee member, said most of those opposing the acquisition were landless labourers. ‘‘They are being led by the Trinamool Congress,’’ alleged Konar. ‘‘If the Tatas fail to set up their plant at Singur because of this opposition, the public will give the leaders of the agitators a thrashing,’’ he added.

Tuesday’s protests in front of the block development officer at Singur were organised by the ‘‘Save Land Committee’’, mostly representing the landless labourers who survive by tilling the land of land-owning farmers.

Reacting to Konar’s warning, Mukul Roy, Trinamool member of the Rajya Sabha, said the farmers’ leader had forgotten his own past. ‘‘Having tasted power, Konar has forgotten his own past and is no longer a farmers’ leader,’’ said Roy, warning, ‘‘We shall continue our protest at Singur, the government is playing with fire.’’

A total of 1,010 land-owners will be affected by the government’s decision to acquire around 1,053 acres at Singur for the Tata project. While the main project would need 700 acres, the associated units will take up the remaining land.