Thaindian News

Kolkata, June 22 (IANS) In the wake of the Calcutta High Court’s verdict striking down as unconstitutional and void the Singur land act, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Friday described herself as one who has “struggled for the cause of working people”, and reiterated her government’s commitment to return the land to the farmers of Singur.

“I don’t want to comment on the court’s verdict. But we are committed to the cause of the farmers of Singur and will continue to stand by them. I believe, ultimately the farmers will win,” Banerjee said in the state assembly.

Banerjee, who recently has been active on a social networking site, later asserted her government’s commitment for the people of Singur.

“Throughout my life, I have struggled for the cause of farmers, the working class, the poor and under-privileged. Our commitment to be with them will remain, whether I am in power or not. I will continue to fight for this cause. Finally, the people’s choice in democracy will prevail,” wrote Banerjee on Facebook.

Her comment came after a high court division bench declared as unconstitutional and void, the Singur Land Rehabilitation and Development Act, 2011, by which the Trinamool Congress government sought to scrap the land lease of Tata Motors and return the acquired lands to farmers and give them a better compensation and rehabilitation package.

The Banerjee government had passed the act soon after assuming office last year.

Automobile giant Tata Motors had moved the division bench against the Calcutta High Court’s Justice I.P. Mukerji’s Sep 28 ruling, which had upheld the Act.

The automobile major had to shift its Nano small car plant to Sanand in Gujarat from Singur in 2008 because of protests by farmers led by the Trinamool Congress. The party sought the return of 400 acres taken from farmers, who were reportedly unwilling to part with their lands.

Reacting to the verdict, Leader of Opposition Surjya Kanta Mishra said the government is paying the price for not heeding to the opposition’s plea to desist from making any discrimination between those farmers who were unwilling to part with the land and those who gave their land willingly.

Congress leader Abdul Mannan questioned Banerjee’s intent to give back the land to the farmers.

“She never had the intention to give the land back to the farmers; it was only posturing on her behalf. Otherwise, she would not have hastily passed the law but would have taken time and help of experts to draft a comprehensive law,” said Mannan.