Blow for Mamata Banerjee in battle with Tatas. She loses Singur case

Mangalore Today News Network

Kolkata, June 22, 2012:  Mamata Banerjee has lost the Singur court case against Tata Motors. The Calcutta High Court has ruled that the legislation introduced by her that allows the government to recover land leased in Singur to Tata Motors is constitutionally invalid.Here are the top 10 facts on this story:
 

1.    One of Ms Banerjee’s first big moves after she was made Chief Minister last year was to pass the Singur Land Rehabilitation and Development Act 2011.That empowered her government to reclaim 400 acres of land from Tata Motors.

2.    In 2007, the Left Front, which was then in power, leased 997 acres at Singur to Tata Motors for a factory to produce India’s cheapest car, the Nano.

3.    The land was acquired from 13,000 owners, but 2000 of them did not accept compensation for their 400 acres of land.

4.    Mamata Banerjee had promised to return their land to them - this was a major part of her campaign ahead of the Bengal elections, which she won with a landslide. The Left was booted out after more than 30 years in power.

5.    The Calcutta High Court has over-ruled an earlier verdict in September that said the Singur Act was constitutionally valid.

6.    Today’s judgement says that the President’s assent was not taken for the Act, making it void and unconstitutional.

7.    The High Court says the judgement will remain suspended for two months, allowing the government to appeal against the order. The court has also said land cannot be recovered for now by the Bengal government.

8.    After the court verdict, Ms Banerjee said her government "is committed to returning land to unwilling farmers." "We were with the farmers, are with the farmers and will be with them. Law will take its own course. And I feel finally farmers will win," she added.

9.    On Facebook, the Chief Minister said, "I have no comments to offer on Singur verdict. Throughout my life, I have struggled for the cause of the farmers, working class, 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."
10.    Tata Motors pulled out of Singur in October 2008 and moved their Nano project to Gujarat. The company invested over 1500 crores in Singur and wants compensation.