New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday held that the acquisition of land by Tata for the Nano plant in Singur was illegal. The apex court said that no due process was followed by the previous Left government in West Bengal in acquiring the land and transferring it to Tata.
It was also observed that adequate compensation was not given to land owners during the acquisition. The Trinamool Congress (TMC) government in the state has been asked to reclaim the land in 10 days and distribute it to the original owners.
The apex court has also said that all those farmers who have taken the compensation in lieu of the acquisition will not have to return it as they have been deprived of their lands and its fruits for last 10 years.
Those farmers who had not taken the compensation may withdraw it and that land be returned to the owners within 12 weeks, the court said.
Calling it a landmark victory, Mamata said, "We waited for ten years for this judgement. It is victory of the farmers. Will work out a mechanism to return land to the farmers," she said. The state government will hold a strategy meeting on Thursday over how to implement the SC verdict.
Tatas exited Singur in 2008 after sustained protests against the acquisition by the TMC
The land was acquired in 2006 for the car project, which was vehemently protested by the TMC - currently in power in the state with Mamata Banerjee as Chief Minister. Eventually, the project was moved to Sanad in Gujarat in 2008.
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