Governor appeals to end Singur impasse

With the West Bengal government seeking more time, Governor Gopalkrishna Gandhi has deferred the much-awaited meeting to resolve the Singur crisis to later Friday asking both the sides to participate in a "mood of reconciliation and compromise". Gandhi, who called this meeting on Wednesday to end the deadlock over Tata Motors Nano plant, told reporters at the Raj Bhavan that the state government representatives had urged him to postpone the session by a few hours and "I requested the opposition to consider it". "I have now decided to hold the meeting at 4 pm," he said. The meeting was earlier scheduled at 10 am. The governor, who chose to preside over the meeting, but not to mediate, asked both the government and the opposition to come forward with an "attitude of compromise and a spirit of reconciliation". The meeting has generated hopes about the future of Tata's Nano car plant. "I am pleased with both sides for reacting positively to my request to attend the meeting," he said, adding he was appealing to the two parties to ensure the success of the talks. "The opposition and the government came to me with expectations. I am hopeful of a solution ...without any compromise nothing can be achieved," he said. Governor Gandhi, grandson of Mahatma Gandhi, on Thursday met representatives of farmers who are protesting the acquisition of some 400 acres of farmland. According to sources, Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee has decided to arrange an alternative plan for the unwilling farmers, but isn't ready yet to announce the policy decision. Government sources said that with not much alternate land available, Friday's meeting may deliberate on a better compensation package for farmers whose land was acquired for the Tata Motors' car plant in Singur. It will also propose to make an economic package for the farmers that would ensure consistent income, added insiders. Buddha wants to use about 40 acres land left with them near the plant for the economic activities of the land losers and farmers. Sources added that though Mamata will demand the return of 400 acres of land from Inside the Tata Nano plant, the government will not consider the proposal. It is going to be day of hard bargaining for the West Bengal government as Mamata Banerjee has refused to relent on her demand of the 400 acres of land within the Nano plant. The Governor Gopal Krishna Gandhi's role will be crucial as he moderates the meeting which will revolve around three basic points of Land used, livelihood of those who lost their land and a compensation package for the farmers. Sources tell us that Buddha has requested the governor to save the project. The Trinamool Congress too is banking on the West Bengal Governor's initiative to resolving the deadlock. Tata against change in Singur land pattern Ratan Tata's letter that he was against any change in pattern of land in Singur, would "dampen the spirit of the initiative" taken by West Bengal Governor Gopal Krishna Gandhi to resolve the Singur issue, Trinamool Congress said. In a virtual rejection of the TC demand for shifting the ancillary units and returning 400 acres to "unwilling" farmers, Tata Group Chairman Ratan Tata on Thursday made it clear that the company was against any change in the land pattern at Singur. Informed sources said that Tata, in his reply to the Governor's letter sent on Thursday, said the Tatas had no problem in participating in any talks on Singur as suggested but was against any change in the land pattern. In the letter, Tata explained the circumstances leading to the decision taken to suspend work at the small car plant at Singur following disruptions and violence, the sources said. A copy of the letter was sent to Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee. Earlier, the Governor had sent a letter to Ratan Tata informing him that an initiative had been taken to resolve the Singur impasse. Gandhi had told reporters last night that the Tatas should be involved in the talks.