As expected, the landmark judgment that denied the Tata group a whopping Rs 1500 crore compensation package, has already had a multilayered effect at the economic, political and administrative levels. The Court found that land acquisition at Singur by the Left Front Government was violative of existing laws.

This has dealt a crippling blow to the CPI(M), further weakening the position of its state unit in its running ideological battle against its Central Committee. On the administrative side, even as the ruling TMC is keen to return all of 996 acres of land to the former owners/cultivators, unwilling farmers who did not take compensation are now asking for much more.
Their logic : they lost their land and their agricultural income for over a decade and took no compensation. They had sided loyally with the anti-acquisition struggle which paved the way for a massive victory for the TMC in the 2011 Assembly polls. They were hit very hard economically. It is only fair, they argue, that they are paid compensation at current rates, not rates prevailing in 2006.

In contrast, land givers representing around 86% of the affected farmers, received substantial compensation and were better off during the last decade (Compensation ranged between Rs 15 to Rs 45 lakhs). But now the SC has ordered the State to return land to all former landowners including the compensated segment, which can keep its money. This makes the majority 85% of the landowners very happy, leaving those who fought harder for the anti-acquisition agitation, shortchanged.

Even as state officials, on orders from a jubilant Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, sprang to their task of returning land by opening several site offices, their enthusiasm lasted only for a day. Faced with the demand for higher compensation from the ‘deprived farmers’, they hurriedly closed down their camps. Now they wait for fresh orders from the Chief Minister, currently touring Germany with a state business delegation.

The sudden new twist in the never-ending Singur saga, with new economic demands surfacing among TMC loyalists themselves, has thrown out of gear preparations for a celebratory function in the area planned on Ms Banerjee’s return.

Incidentally the Bengal business delegation to Germany includes two representatives from Tata Group companies doing business in the state. The Chief Minister as well as senior TMC leaders have indicated that there is no dispute with the Tatas as such. Their battle was against the Left Front government and its acquisition methods.

The Tatas have also reciprocated, group Chairman Mr Cyrus Mistry told newsmen that they did business in states where the atmosphere for investments was conducive. No political considerations were involved.

Further senior TMC leader and former State Minister Rabindranath Bhattacharya went on record saying that the local people would be happy’ if some industry were set up in the area,’ while land could be returned to unwilling landlosers. This he said would help Singur grow economically.

Such statements and behind- the –scene discussions suggest that the Tata group and the State Government have not yet closed the door on working out a fresh package for the overall development. Both sides also stress that the small car project apart, there was never any problem between the West Bengal Government and the group. The Tatas run other industries, ranging from the health sector to housing, smoothly enough In Bengal. A TMC leader said, ‘Ms Banerjee had made a proposal for an out of court settlement with the Tatas at one stage, but in vain. Her terms were generous, compared to what the Tatas now have to deal with.’

Even as the state government wrestles with the SC’s order to return land to their former owners within the next three months, there is considerable disarray and bickering among the CPI(M) and its erstwhile Left allies. The Forward Bloc and the RSP have rubbed it in during Left Front meetings by blaming the Buddhadeb Bhattacharee-led Government squarely for alienating local farmers and peasants at Singur, in its hurry to please the Tatas. The CPI also joined the anti-CPI(M) chorus, but less stridently.

Leaders of parties allied to the CPI(M) also stressed with some justification their repeated warnings to then Chief Minister Bhattacharjee not to proceed hastily in his land acquisition drive. Congress(I) State President Adhir Choudhury pointed out that the success of the agitation at Singur was by no means a political monopoly enjoyed by the TMC . All parties opposing the Front had joined the displaced farmers, including the Congress, the BJP , the Maoists and Muslim organisations.

TMC leaders countered, pointing out that Ms Banerjee had risked her life by going on a long protest fast and been physically mistreated and harassed by the police during her agitation while others joined in a subsidiary later.

Within the CPI(M) , old guard leaders like politburo members Mr. Biman Bose, Mr. Bhattacharjee, Dr Suryakanta Mishra (also state Secretary) and Mr. Nirupam Sen are facing strong criticism both from the central party leadership and critics within the state party. Mr Abdur Rezzak Mollah, a former CPIM) Minister is now a TMC Minister, following his outspoken criticism and expulsion from the CPI(M), over the Singur issue. The Politburo in a recent statement briefly commented on the Singur verdict and held the State party responsible for the major political reverses suffered by the Left as a consequence of the acquisition drive.

However, the state CPI(M) seems to be marshalling resources for a stout defence of the LF”s actions in 2006-07, if not actually contemplating a counter attack. Within the central party leadership, CPI(M) Secretary Sitatram Yechury has been known for his generally supportive position for the state leadership in most issues.

As Dr MIshra points out, the verdict left much to be desired, making no mention of what would happen to the buildings, sheds, stores, godowns, roads and other infrastructure put up by the Tatas and several ancillary groups which were participants in the small car project. He felt that the end of legal wrangles was still not in sight and expected the Tatas to go on appeal against the SC order.(IPA)