This refers to the editorial, “Bad precedent in Bengal” (September 2). The Supreme Court’s judgement on Nano land may bring cheers to the Mamata-led Government in general and the affected families in particular. But the question is: Will the land, so handed over to the farmers, be as fertile as it was when it was taken over by the Tatas 10 years backIJ
The editorial has rightly said that this land re-acquisition by the Bengal Government may prove to be a personal victory for Didi, but ultimately, it will be the State which will lose in the long-run as there will be no investment, either by the vernacular or foreign entity in the State. The State will further go down towards south in development.
The Bengal Government, instead of dislodging the Tatas from Singur, could have negotiated a better deal with them to have at least one person from each of the affected farmers’ families employed in their plant so established, but Didi wanted to have her bete noire, the left Government, humiliated, leaving the interest of affected farmers at bay.