Singur Confusion

LAND DISPUTES are becoming commonplace in India where businesses are being dumped amid blind protests and negligence of foresightedness. First it was Nandigram. Now it’s Singur. The land row in West Bengal has sent a wrong message across the business fraternity. The Singur siege led by controversial Trinamool Congress leader, Mamata Banerjee against Tata’s Nano project has left its administration and West Bengal government in dilemma.
Mamta has said that she is hoping for a positive solution to the Singur agitation, but will not back from the agitation unless the 400 acres of land is given back to the farmers. Amidst all such agitation and protests, Tata Motors has suspended operations at Singur plant and is in the process of exploring alternative locations after work had been disrupted since August 29. As of now, Tata’s dream project of Nano cars (the cheapest in India), has countered setback in Singur and if conclusive formula is not met with, it is destined to relocate to another venue outside Bengal.
Now the question arises, if Tata pulls out of Singur, what impact it would have on the industrialisation in West Bengal? The business community in the state is particularly concerned that if Tata leaves, others will definitely follow and this is going to hamper the industrial growth of the region. If the company goes, it is not only going to deprive the state of big money, but also blemish the image of the brand ’Bengal’.
The other big companies, which had decided to invest big money and time in this state largely because of the Nano plant at Singur, are now in dilemma and pondering over their options. Bharat Forge, Vedanta Group, Adhunik, Shyam Steel, Bhushan Steel, Abhijit Group and certain automobile majors who were mulling over investment in West Bengal, some of them had almost finalised, may not be all that keen to invest after the Singur standoff.
This standoff has certainly given cold shivers to Left-ruled government in West Bengal and deemed as a setback in its campaign to change its image from union-dominated, strike-bound state hostile to investors, to business-friendly government striving for uplift of living standards of people. The state government has been desperately trying to attract investors from within the country and abroad who for long had been adamant not to invest in the state because of the communist policies.

After Tata’s decision of suspending operation at Singur plant, the government has appointed West Bengal governor, Gopal Krishna Gandhi, as the mediator in the talk between Trinamool Congress chief and Tata Motors to reach a conclusion. There is evidence that the movement taken up by Mamta against the Tata project is witnessing a slow but steady divide, which may be a good sign for the government and the people of the region who are destined to benefit by the industrialisation of the region.
The most tormenting aspect of all such agitations is that the so-called flag bearers of such protests are in a habit of gaining short-term political gain keeping their eyes shut towards the mass benefit that may ensue in the long term. What goals can Mamta achieve for the land owners when the project is closed? Aren’t the land owners going to be benefitted more with Tata project in their place than they would otherwise be with mere agricultural land at their disposal? She is just trying to manoeuvre short-term political gains on the name of protest.
Supporters of the Nano plant at Singur argue that the project will lead to prosperity – and this is the reality. Look at the scenario – in the past one year, a number of banks have set up branches there, new constructions are coming up, jobs in a variety of forms in and around the plant are being created and new income is being generated. The region is getting a facelift and this may go on to benefit generations to come.
Even for the farmers whose lands were acquired for the plant, Tata’s withdrawal from Singur could be the worst case scenario. They may get back their land, but still be a loser, as it would have definitely provided new jobs and business opportunities, which would have boosted the local economy and the living standard of people.
Now, as the situation unfolds, voices are being raised against the Mamta-led agitation from even the farmers whose lands have been acquired. They do not want the Tatas to leave as they have started to believe that industrialisation would improve their lives. This view gains strength after the suicide of a farmer in protest against Tata’s ouster.
In a tragic incident, a 65-year-old farmer, Sushen Santra, from Joymalla village, living close to the Tata Motors plant, committed suicide after consuming pesticide at his residence. His family members said that it was due to the sheer shock of the Tata’s decision, announced a day earlier, to suspend work at its plant. He was upset after he heard that the Nano project might be relocated and committed suicide under depression.
His three sons work in the ancillary units located within the project area as daily wage earners and according to them, he was afraid they would lose their jobs. He was paid a sum of Rs 3,50,000 as compensation for his land from which he constructed a two-storey house and his living standard had improved due to job created for his sons. Now, with dark clouds looming over the project, he couldn’t stand the threat of losing all.

Meanwhile, in recent developments, it is learned that some landowners, who gave land for the project, demonstrated at the village demanding immediate resumption of work in the factory. But on the other hand, it seems that Mamta is keen on going ahead with her protest. Why can’t our politicians grow up? Just because of dogmatic approach of our politicians, the general people of the country have to suffer.
The business community in West Bengal is seeing the Singur siege as an unwanted obstacle in the road leading towards foreign investments and industrialisation of the state. The industrial climate is getting difficult and filthier in the state where the government needs to address the Singur issue if it wants to make West Bengal an investment destination at all.