Singur a model in agriculture and horticulture sectors: Basu

After returning the 997 acre land in Singur to its previous state to cultivate multiple crops possible in a year in the past six months, the state government has assured the farmers of continuous support as Singur would be displayed as a model in agriculture and horticulture sector in the near future.

Purnendu Basu, the state Agriculture minister, visited Singur on Tuesday. Rabindranath Bhattacharya, the local MLA, was accompanying the Agriculture minister.

It may be recalled that farmers got back their land with the order of the Division Bench of Supreme Court comprising Justice V Gopal Gowda and Justice Arun Mishra. Terming the acquisition of 997 acre of land for Tata's Nano project in Singur unjustified, the Division Bench asked the present state on August 30 to return the land in a cultivable condition within the next 12 weeks.

The Mamata Banerjee government had not only handed over the land to farmers in a cultivable condition, but also did everything essential to ensure proper cultivation of multiple crops in a year in Singur. Banerjee went to Singur after the historic judgement to hand over the deeds of land to the farmers. She was also present when the farmers had sown seeds in the land for the first time after getting it back.

Basu said if someone visits Singur after six months, that person would not be able to recognise the place as crops are being grown on the plots where there was nothing apart from concrete structures constructed for Tata's Nano project.

He said: "Soil was tested when the work to prepare the land for cultivation had started again. Boro crops have grown and farmers are happy. Now, they are cultivating the Rabi crops. We have also encouraged the use of organic fertilisers in Singur. Soil will be tested again and necessary steps will be taken to further improve the cultivation as per the direction of the experts. With all these steps taken, Singur will be a model in agriculture and horticulture sectors."