Nano will roll out in Oct.

  • 25/08/2008

  • Asian Age (New Delhi)

BY PARWEZ HAFEEZ KOLKATA West Bengal chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee on Saturday said that the first Nano car will roll out in October. Trinamul Congress chief Mamata Banerjee on Sunday reiterated that unless 400 acres of 1,000 acres, was returned to the unwilling farmers, she would not lift the siege of the Tata Motors' small car plant at Singur. The situation is extremely fluid and it is not yet possible to say whether the Tatas will shift the Nano project to some other state. On Friday, Tata Group chairman Ratan Tata made it clear that he would not hesitate to pull out if vio lence at the Singur plant continued. Mr Bhattacharjee said that he shared his anxiety but urged him "to bear with us'. The huge turnout on the first day of Ms Banerjee's indefinite dharna at Singur must have made it clear to Mr Bhattacharjee that there was no question of getting any concession from her. Now he will have to buy peace with Ms Banerjee by offering some alternative package. Mr Bhattacharjee has realised that enhanced compensation and rehabilitation package would not be enough to placate her. The state government is, therefore, preparing what is being described as "land for land' formula. Under this formula, the government plans to take back around 320 acres of land allotted to four companies opposite the Nano project.