Business chambers elated with Singur verdict

The Supreme Court on Wednesday cancelled the allotment of land by the erstwhile Left Front government of the state to Tata Motors in 2006 for the Nano car plant at Hooghly’s Singur, declaring the “entire acquisition process was illegal”.

The Bench of Justice V Gopala Gowda and Arun Mishra agreed upon in different reason in their separate judgment – quashed the acquisition and returned the land.

“We are really happy to hear the judgment given by Apex Court. The movement of our Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, for the poor farmers has won here. We are saluting the effort of the Mamata Banerjee and the way she had led the movement. This is really a historical judgment,” said S. Roy, assistant director general, MCC Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

However, the industry is also looking for fresh investment and industrialisation in Singur, and other parts of the state. “We are welcoming the judgment which the Apex Court has given today (Wednesday). We are a law abiding chamber, so we’ll honour the judgment,” said Rakesh Shah, the president of Bharat Chamber of Commerce.

Roy, the assistant director general, MCC Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said, they will look for the fresh investment in Singur, in non-fertile areas in much more constructive ways.

Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry has also shared their opinion. They have clearly said that any such land acquisition should be operated within the framework of law. “The Supreme Court Judgement on the Singur Land Acquisition, as reported in the media reflects that the due process for acquiring the land was not followed. FICCI endorses that any such land acquisition should be within the framework of law and must comply with all regulations” said Mr. Harshavardhan Neotia, President, FICCI.

The biz body Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) has also cleared that state government should have the responsibility to protect the industries which have invested.

“The Supreme Court judgment will put a question mark on the land acquisition process in West Bengal,” said D S Rawat, secretary general, ASSOCHAM.