West Bengal Govt announces package for Singur farmers

West Bengal Industries Minister Nirupam Sen on Tuesday announced a rehabilitation package for the people affected by the Tata Motors car project in Singur, but rejected the demand of returning the lands.

Kolkata, June 19 : West Bengal Industries Minister Nirupam Sen on Tuesday announced a rehabilitation package for the people affected by the Tata Motors car project in Singur, but rejected the demand of returning the lands.

The affected persons would be provided training and employment in the Tata project, Sen added.

The package includes identifying employment opportunities in coordination with the Tata Motors Limited in various sectors and preparing a socio-economic database of the persons affected by the project.

The scheme would also ensure that at least one person from each affected family was included for training.

The Trinamool Congress has been spearheading a campaign for better compensation for the farmers whose lands were acquired by the State Government for the project.

Tata Motors started to build its factory in Singur in January 2007 to make what the company claims will be the world's cheapest car for 100,000 rupees.

There have been regular protests in West Bengal this year over the acquisition of agriculture land for industry.

ANI