Chief minister Mamata Banerjee announced that 400 acres from Tata Motors’ abandoned Nano project at Singur would be returned to the unwilling farmers. Chairing the first Cabinet meeting of the new government just five hours after being sworn in, Ms Banerjee also took some other stupendous decisions like invitation to Justice
Rajinder Sachar to guide the state government for preparing a development package for the minorities, reviewing the release of political prisoners and setting up a new department for disbursement of funds under MGNREGA and distribution of BPL cards among others.
Calling upon the people to maintain peace, she instructed the police administration to seize all illegal arms immediately. Ms Banerjee, who had in the past always alleged that the police acted in a partisan manner, asked them to act impartially. She also announced that if any organisation came forward to discuss the problems in Jungalmahal, she would welcome it. The state government will prepare a special package for the development of Jungalmahal and will also seek the Centre’s help.
“The Cabinet has decided to return 400 acres of land to the unwilling farmers at Singur. The necessary papers will be prepared shortly. If the Tatas want to set up their factory on the remaining 600 acres, they are welcome. The agreement between the state government and Tata Motors on Singur land will also be made public,” Ms Banerjee added.
The 997.11 acres of land in Singur is now under the possession of Tata Motors, which recently renewed the land lease for another year.
She also said she would need seven days to understand everything. “I have also asked my ministers to work on Saturdays. The Cabinet will meet in every 15 days to take decisions for the development of the state,” Ms Banerjee said. “A 10-member committee will be formed to review the cases of political prisoners for their release. Every case will be reviewed by the committee,” she said. On being asked whether the committee would review the cases of the political prisoners who were booked under UAPA, Ms Banerjee said, “UAPA is a Central act. I am talking about prisoners who have been booked under the state acts.”
On the question of withdrawal of joint forces from Junglemahal, which she had repeatedly demanded earlier, Ms Banerjee said, “Let me see the details, I will let you know. But I always keep my promise.”
The chief minister announced to set up a large and powerful CMO (chief minister’s office). A small state secretariat will also be set up in North Bengal. Ms Banerjee once again reiterated her promise to resolve problems in the hills and Junglemahal in three months. “First we will resolve the Darjeeling problem and then look into the Junglemahal,” she added. Ms Banerjee declared that she would not use bullet-proof cars of the state government. “I use a small car and I will continue to use it,” she added.