Agreement between Tata Motors Ltd., Government of West Bengal and WBIDC

1. Tata Motors Ltd. (TML) was intending to set up a manufacturing Plant for
Automobile Products including “Tata Small Car” to manufacture 250,000 cars
per annum on 2 shift basis which could be expanded to 350,000 on 3 shift basis.
In addition, it would have several Vendors and act as a mother plant for many
aggregates to tune of 500,000 cars. In this connection, TML was considering
locating the plant in the States of Uttarakhand/ Himachal Pradesh in view of the
fiscal incentive package for the rapid industrialization being made available by
the Govt. of India to new Industries in these States which has been attracting a
large number of industries to these States.

The incentive package in Uttarakhand/Himachal Pradesh consists of:-

(a) 100% exemption from Excise Duty for 10 years.
(b) 100% exemption from Corporate Income Tax for first 5 years and 30%
exemption from Corporate Income Tax for next 5 years.



2. The Government of West Bengal (GoWB) is keen to take appropriate steps
for rapid industrialization in West Bengal and in this connection wanted to
attract some major Automobile Projects to the State. The Government of
West Bengal approached TML to persuade them to locate an Automobile
Project including the project to manufacture “Tata Small Car” in West
Bengal. TML showed interest in locating the plant in West Bengal, provided
the State gave Fiscal incentive equivalent to the value of total incentives it
would have received by locating the plant in Uttarakhand / Himachal Pradesh.
GoWB offered to match the financial incentives in equivalent terms and
invited TML to set up the Small Car plant in West Bengal entailing
investment of over Rs. 1500 crores by TML. In addition, Vendors supporting
the project are likely to make further investment of over Rs. 500 crores.


3. Since then numerous discussions have been held and based on this
understanding, GoWB proceeded with identification of various lands for this
mega project. Land of approximately 1000 acres chosen in P. S. Singur of
District Hooghly was finalized with TML. West Bengal Industrial
Development Corporation Ltd. (WBIDC) commenced the process of
acquisition of this land. The process was completed with the Declaration of
Award under Section 11 of the Land Acquisition Act, and thereafter WBIDC
has obtained mutation of ownership in its name in the Record-of-Rights, and
conversion of usage of the land from agriculture to factory.


4. WBIDC is in possession of 997.11 acres of land, which has been acquired
under the Land Acquisition Act. Out of this, an area admeasuring 645.67
acres will be leased to TML for setting up the Automobile Project including
the small car plant, while an area admeasuring 290 acres will be leased to the
vendors to this Automobile Project approved by TML (ancillary and
component manufacturing units), 14.33 acres will be handed over by WBIDC
to WBSEB only for construction of 220/132/33 KV substation and the
balance admeasuring 47.11 acres will be used by WBIDC for rehabilitation
activities for the needy families amongst the Project affected persons.



5. The terms of lease to TML for the 645.67 acres of land for the mother plant
are described below. In addition, WBIDC will provide on lease 290 acres of
land to the Vendors selected and approved by TML on payment of Premium
equal to the actual cost of acquisition plus incidentals, to be calculated on the
basis of the total acquisition cost and other incidental expenses expended by
WBIDC or any of its subsidiaries (duly certified by its auditor) averaged over
the total land acquired. The lease rental payable per year per acre by the
vendors will be Rs. 8000/- per acre for the first 45 (forty five) years and
Rs. 16000/- per acre for the next 45 (forty five) years. The initial lease tenure
will be 90 years. On expiry of 90 years, the lease terms will be fixed on
mutually agreed terms at that point of time.


6. The parties also discussed mutually to finalise the package of incentives
required in order to enable GoWB to fulfill its commitment to match in
equivalent financial terms the fiscal incentive foregone by TML in
Uttarakhand. The Net Present Value (NPV) computation of benefits that the
project would have received in Uttarakhand is attached in Annexure I which
is agreed to by all the parties. Sample computation of benefits in West Bengal
with stated assumptions is given in Annexure II which is accepted by all
parties as agreed basis of computation. The NPV is calculated @ 11%.



7. Accordingly, it is finally agreed, in supersession of all previous decisions and
agreements in this regard, that for this mega project, the fiscal incentives
under Industrial Promotion Assistance in terms of the West Bengal Incentive
Scheme (WBIS 2004), assistance towards land cost and interest subsidy in the
form of a loan against a quantum of the term loan to be taken by TML for this
project will be offered by GoWB as follows:-

(a) WBIDC will provide Industrial Promotion Assistance in the form of a
Loan to TML at 0.1% interest per annum for amounts equal to gross VAT
and CST received by GoWB in each of the previous years ended 31st
March on sale of “Tata Small Car” from the date of commencement of
sales of the small car. This benefit will continue till the balance amount of
the Uttarakhand benefit (after deducting the amount as stated in para 7b
and 7c below) is reached on net present value basis, after which it shall be
discontinued. The loan with interest will be repayable in annual
installments starting from 31st year of commencement of sale from the
plant. The loan availed in the first year will be repaid in the 31st year and
the loan availed in the 2nd year will be repaid in the 32nd year and so on.
WBIDC will ensure that the loan under this head is paid within 60 days of
the close of the previous year (on 31st March) failing which WBIDC will
be liable to compensate TML for the financial inconvenience caused @
1.5 times the bank rate prevailing at the time on the amount due for the
period of such delay.

TML & GoWB will make best efforts to maximize sale of products from
the “Small Car Plant” in the State of West Bengal.


(b) WBIDC will provide 645.67 acres of Land to Tata Motors Ltd on a 90
year lease, on an annual lease rental of Rs. 1 crore per year for first 5
years with an increase @ 25% after every 5 years till 30 years. On expiry
of 30 years, the lease rental will be fixed at Rs. 5 crores per year, with an
increase @ 30% after every 10 years till the 60th year. On the expiry of 60
years, the lease rental will be fixed at Rs. 20 crores per year, which will
remain unchanged till the 90th year. On expiry of 90 years the lease terms
will be fixed on mutually agreed terms at that point of time. The benefit
on account of land would be calculated as the total land area leased out to
TML multiplied by the cost of acquisition calculated in the manner as
provided in para 5 less NPV of rent payable during 60 years.



(c) The West Bengal Govt. will provide to TML a loan of Rs. 200 crores
bearing @ 1% interest per year repayable in 5 equal annual installments
starting from the 21st year from the date of disbursement of loan. This
loan will be disbursed within 60 days of signing of this Agreement.

(d) The West Bengal Government will provide Electricity for the project at
Rs. 3/- per KWH. In case of more than Rs. 0.25 per KWH increase in
tariff in every block of five years, the Government will provide relief
through additional compensation to neutralize such additional increase.


8. It is also agreed that the computation of the comparison of benefits in
Annexure I and II will be changed if there are any changes in the rates of
excise duty and corporate income tax during the next 10 years.

http://www.wbidc.com/

Jyoti Basu responding to treatment

KOLKATA, 9 SEP.: Former chief minister and CPI(M) patriarch Jyoti Basu's condition remained stable on Monday. Governor Gopalkrishna Gandhi, who went to visit him, said he was in good form. Chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, finance minister Asim Dasgupta and CPI(M) state secretary Biman Bose, transport minister Subhas Chakraborty and his wife Ramala went to visit Basu today.

A CT scan was done later on Monday night to assess the condition of blood clots. "He is in very good form and responding very well to the treatment being provided here. He talked about international and national matters. His sense of good humour remains," Gandhi said after coming out of the hospital. He wouldn't clarify whether Basu raised the Singur issue during their meet.

S Upadhyay, senior vicepresident, AMRI Hospitals, said Basu had slept well. "His other parameters are under control," Upadhyay said. A 10-member medical board has been formed to evaluate his condition. On Tuesday morning, members of the board will meet to evaluate the nonagenarian's condition. (abriged)

9 Sep 2008, 0523 hrs IST

TIMES OF INDIA

JYOTI BASU admitted to hospital

KOLKATA: Veteren CPI(M) leader, Former chief minister Jyoti Basu was admitted to a private hospital today with a blood clot in the brain caused by a fall at home on Friday night.

“He is fully conscious, stable and is having normal nutrition. He is presently kept under observation,” a medical bulletin issued by AMRI Hospitals, near Dhakuria Bridge, said. A 10-member medical board, headed by neurosurgeon R.N. Bhattacharya, has been set up.

“There is a blood clot on the left side of the brain surface. But there is no plan for immediate surgery,” said a doctor treating him. “He takes blood-thinning medicines, so it is not possible to perform a surgery immediately. Those medicines have been stopped in case there is need for surgery.”

Hospital officials said a number of pathological tests were done and the results were normal. “More tests will be done tomorrow and the medical board will once again review the progress on Tuesday,” the bulletin said.

Basu, 95, was admitted to the hospital at 11.35am and is in a special suite on the second floor of the hospital’s new building. Doctors said he was likely to be kept under observation for a week.
On Friday night, the CPI(M) leader had bumped against a bathroom wall while trying to locate a light switch. A CT scan revealed a blood clot.

Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee, foreign minister Pranab Mukherjee and state health minister Surjya Kanta Mishra visited Basu in hospital. “He is perfectly all right and talking normally,” Mishra said.

The Telegraph,

8 September, 2008

PIX: SHYAMAL BASU, GANASHAKTI

Issues regarding Industrialisation in West Bengal Industrial land Use

The dismantling of the industrial licensing regime accompanied by various
other liberalization policies from the early 1990s has given the State an opportunity to
boost industrial growth, private investment and employment generation and at the
same time, has created an environment of competition among different States. This
has put a tremendous responsibility on the State Government to adopt appropriate
steps in order to bring about rapid industrialization in West Bengal. Aware of the
opportunities for industrial growth likely to be created in West Bengal, the
Government of West Bengal has been pursuing policies for overall economic
development of the State with a view to achieving growth with equity and social
justice. The State’s Industrial Policy was announced in 1994 with an aim to achieve a
faster industrial development. It encourages private sector investment and envisages
the role of Government as a facilitator of this process.

It should first be noted that the State Government’s policies for land reform
from the late 1970s have made a significant impact on the stagnant food production
scenario. The average annual growth of food output1 during 1980-95 was 5.03 %
compared to 1.22 % during 1970-80. However, the rate of growth of agricultural
output over time has been affected by increasingly dwindling size of per capita
holding of farm land which has come down from 1.20 hectares in 1970-71 to 0.82
hectares in 2000-012, and is thus proving to be economically unviable to sustain a
family. The average size of land holding appears to be one of the smallest amongst the
states and much below the national average of 1.41 hectares.

The recent growth path of the West Bengal economy depicts a picture of
falling share of agriculture in total SDP (State Domestic Product)3 from 27.48% in
1999-2000 to 21.82% in 2005-06 followed by a relatively steady growth of secondary
sector from 14.85% to 16.93%. The share of the tertiary sector has increased from
52.27% to 56.17% over the same period. At the same time, it is felt that the increase
in the services sector cannot be sustained over a long period without an increase in
manufacturing activity.


The last decade had witnessed a steady growth of SDP in the State with all the
key sectors including infrastructure having recorded a significant growth over the last
10 years. The SDP1 recorded a compound annual growth of 7.07 % during 1993-94 to
2003-04 as against the all India GDP growth of 6.23 %. However, in the last two
years, the rate of growth of the State has fallen slightly behind the all-India rate. The
rural economy has witnessed a phase of distinct shift in occupational pattern and life
style which is reflected in the pattern of per capita consumption of non-food items and
also an increasing aspiration towards school and higher education.

The 2001 census reveals that there has been a shift in the occupation pattern of
the main workers in relation to 1991 census data thereby reflecting diversification in
economic activities in the rural economy. The share of cultivators in total main
workers decreased from 30.2 % in 1991 to 20.85 % in 2001. While the share of
agricultural labourers has remained more or less static around 22.7 %, the same for
other workers has increased from 44.3 % to 52.7 % during the same period.

Growth of Industry in West Bengal, post 1991

From 1991 to 2006, 1,439 projects in the medium and large industry sector
involving an investment of Rs. 32,632 crores have been implemented in the State.
The number of industrial approvals granted by the Secretariat of Industrial Approvals,
Govt. of India, from January 2000 to December 2006 stood at 2858 with a proposed
investment of about Rs. 83,858 crores

It may be mentioned that for most of the industrial projects implemented in the
State, land for industries has been mostly purchased by the entrepreneurs directly
from the landowners. The State Government has in recent times also attempted to
carry out direct purchase of land for setting up industrial clusters. The process of
obtaining land through direct purchase has shown a mixed outcome.

The process of direct purchase adopted by the State Government was to set up
a consultative process involving local representatives and local district officials, to
identify land, and develop a consensus on the price of the land. The actual process of
purchase began after such a consensus was reached at. This process yielded the
desired results in the case of the Food and Poly Parks at Sankrail in Howrah district,
the Plasto-Steel Park at Barjora in the Bankura district and industries in Khargapur.

However, the same process ran into problems in the case of the Foundry Park and
Rubber Park in Howrah district due to resistance from various private interests which
had already purchased some of the identified lands across the project area and along
the roads. The inability to buy these plots through direct purchase meant that the road
frontage of the industrial park and contiguity of the plots were adversely affected.
Finally, in order to complete the process of arranging the land, the Government had to
take recourse to the LA Act, to acquire the intervening plots and plots abutting the
road.

However, the State Government’s assistance in the form of acquisition is
required in the case of large projects, where the requirement of land is large.
Examples are the Tata small car project, and the various steel plant projects in the
pipeline. Similarly, in today’s competitive environment, the Small and Medium
Enterprises (SMEs) need to reduce their cost of operation, thereby helping them to
function in a competitive manner and at the same time comply with environmental
norms. Therefore, setting up of small industrial clusters for SMEs, with shared
common facilities, enhances their competitiveness. Government has to step in to
acquire the land and set up these clusters with the necessary common facilities and
infrastructure.

At the same time, many of the existing SMEs may run into environmental
problems in their existing locations, which have become urbanized. Since these
industries would need to relocate to new, environment friendly industrial parks and
obtain environment clearance, it becomes necessary for the State Government to assist
them in the acquisition of land.

There has been a significant investment in the IT and ITeS sectors in West
Bengal. Major players such as Infosys, Wipro, ICICI Bank, ITC Infotech and foreign
companies have evinced interest in setting up IT and ITeS facilities, and most of them
wish to locate in the Greater Kolkata area. Since it is accepted that this sector is also
an engine of growth and employment, the State Government also has to arrange land
in the Greater Kolkata area for this sector.

The projects in pipeline involving large investments in manufacturing sector
for setting up modern and environment friendly production facilities will require large
tracts of land. Moreover, it is always not possible for every industry to locate in a
particular site. Decisions regarding location are based on a number of factors. In
addition to availability of land, quality infrastructure in terms of road and rail
connectivity (as well as proximity to a port for many industries), adequate supply of
water and power, as well as proximity to markets and urban centers are required for
successful implementation of projects within a definite time frame. In order to avoid
the complicated process of purchase of land from a large number of owners and
compliance with existing land laws of the State especially pertaining to land ceiling it
may be necessary for the State Government to acquire the land required to set up
industries.

In the last few years, the State Government has been assisting entrepreneurs to
obtain land through the process of acquisition as well as direct purchase. The State
Government acquired 2102.39 acres along with direct purchase of 1934 acres of land
for setting up industries in the last three years.

In West Bengal, the net sown area1 is 62 % of total reported land area while
another 13.48% in under forest, and 18.52 % is already under non-agricultural use.
The total land in the categories of barren and uncultivable land; permanent pasture
and other grazing land; land under trees and groves not covered in net sown area; and
culturable waste land together add up to 1.42%, (of which culturable waste alone is
0.40 %). For the country as a whole, the percentage of net sown area is 46.07%, while
the percentage of land under categories of barren and uncultivable land; permanent
pasture and other grazing land; land under trees and groves not covered in net sown
area; and culturable waste land together add up to 15.41% (of which culturable waste
is 4.46%).

To minimize usage of agricultural land for industrial use and to achieve a
balanced and sustainable industrial growth, the State Government is seeking to
implement a policy for location of industries in a manner so as to maximize use of
uncultivable land, locate industries in backward areas of the State, develop industrial
clusters thereby using common infrastructure and optimizing available resources. The
State Government is conducting a field survey on the vested land available as per
records and assessing its viability for industrial usage keeping in view its size,
location, contiguity and availability of infrastructure. The State Government is also
trying to use the land locked up in closed and sick industries keeping in view the legal
issues and other complications.

A Policy for Location of Industries:

In pre-independence times, the industrial development in West Bengal centered
around Howrah, Hooghly, Asansol and Barrackpore due to connectivity through rail,
road and river and availability of raw materials. In North Bengal, industrial
development has been mostly confined to tea industry and some food processing
activities in Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri. Thereafter, industrial growth has concentrated
first in Durgapur and then in Haldia. That Haldia would develop as one of West
Bengal’s largest industrial areas was clear once it was decided, in the late 1960s, to
set up the Haldia Dock Complex. Proximity to a port has always been a major factor
in deciding location of large industries.

In order to facilitate planned industrial development, some industrial parks
have in the meanwhile already been developed by the State Government such as
Kolkata Leather Complex; Shilpangan in Salt Lake for light engineering goods;
Paridhan - the Garment Park in Beliaghata, for apparel and garment manufacturing
units; Manikanchan SEZ in Salt Lake for gems and jewellery units; Food Park and
Poly Park in Sankrail in Howrah district; and the Plasto-Steel Park in Barjora in
Bankura district. It is estimated that more such planned industrial parks are required
to accommodate medium sized industries of the State. Growth Centres, i.e., large
industrial estates, have been set up at Kalyani, Kharagpur, Falta, Uluberia, Haldia,
Bishnupur, Raninagar, Dabgram, Malda, Cooch Behar, Jalpaiguri and Bolpur.
Similarly, the MSE&T Department has set up industrial estates in different parts of
the State for the small-scale industries. More such parks are planned by the C&I
Department and the MSE&T Department.

In order to create a balanced and sustainable industrial growth in the State and
maximize the use of uncultivable land in the State, it is felt that some parts of the
State can be identified as industrial growth poles, because of factors such as
availability of non-agricultural land, historical industrial presence, and availability of
good infrastructure. This will mean optimal use of the existing industrial
infrastructure, and upgradation of infrastructure where required, and facilitate/create
new industrial infrastructure for projects in backward areas.

It is proposed by the State Government that these focal areas of industry can
be: (i) Haldia; (ii) Asansol-Durgapur and contiguous areas of Bankura and Purulia
across the Damodar river; (iii) Howrah-Hooghly; (iv) Barrackpore; (v) Kharagpur-
Jhargram; (vi) Siliguri-Jalpaiguri; and (vii) Kalyani. At the same time, it is also
proposed to develop small industrial clusters in all districts of the State to meet the
requirements of the SME sector and to create employment opportunities in all
districts.

1 Estimates of Area & Production of Principal Crops in West Bengal, 2002-03
2 Agricultural Census Report, 2000-01
3 Annual Review of West Bengal Economy,2004-05,CMIE
4 Annual Review of West Bengal Economy:2003-04
5 Annual Report, Commerce & Industries Department, Govt. of West Bengal
6 Status on Land, published by the Land &Land Reforms Department, Govt. of West Bengal

SOURCE: www.wbidc.com

Rehabilitation measures for the Project Affected Persons

Along with the issue of industrial land use, the issue regarding

compensation and rehabilitation of the PAPs is relevant.

Large tracts of contiguous land are required for
setting up industries thereby necessitating land acquisition.

The State Government has attempted to locate land for

industry with a focus to minimizing displacement of
families from their homestead land. In addition to the availability of
uncultivable/barren land, the location of industries is also

determined by factors such as connectivity, availability

of water and power. Due to land constraint in the State
and unavailability of appropriate industrial infrastructure

in all districts, agricultural land has been used for industrial

purpose in some cases. Appropriate compensation
towards land and provision of alternate livelihood to the

PAPs has been ensured in
such cases.

The issues pertaining to rehabilitation shows variation based

on the location,nature and quantum of land involved in the

project. There is sufficient scope of continuously evolving

and improving the rehabilitation strategy with field experience,
felt needs and exchange of ideas, the underlying objective being

the overall socioeconomic development of the area, provision

of alternative livelihood and an improvement in the quality of

the living of the PAPs. Successful implementation of
rehabilitation programmes is critical to accelerate and sustain

industrial growth in West Bengal and the object is therefore

to create a model of inclusive development in
consultation with the academicians, industry, government

and all stakeholders.

Some key features of rehabilitation for PAPs

in industrial projects

The intent of State Government is to create a favourable

environment so that the PAPs can participate in the

growth process and avail of the employment opportunities
created through industrialization. Some of the components

of the rehabilitation initiatives that have been taken up by

the State Government are common to all large
projects which have been finalized or are in the pipeline.

It has been ensured that the clause for provision for vocational

training, alternate livelihood and access to basic
amenities by the concerned industry is built into the agreement

itself. The key features of the rehabilitation measures include

inter alia payment of appropriate compensation towards

land to land losers and bargadars, capacity
building to assist the PAPs to avail of opportunities created

through industrialization thereby providing alternate livelihood

and the overall development of the area through community

development initiatives.

• Compensation towards land/re-settlement

􀂾 Payment of compensation at the higher side of the prevailing market rate
depending upon the character of land with 30% solatium and interest over and
above the land value

􀂾 Payment to bargadars at the rate of 25% of the total compensation paid to the
owner of the land, which is more than the stipulated six times the annual
value of the crops as per the LA Act, 1894

􀂾 Payment of 25% of the total compensation to the non-recorded bargadars after
enquiry

􀂾 Resettlement of families whose homestead land has been identified for
acquisition through the construction of dwelling houses in close proximity of
original place of residence in accordance with G.O no.1706-LA-3M-07/06
dated 6th June,2006 of the Land & Land Reforms Department, Govt. of West
Bengal

􀂾 Additional 10% incentive to willing landowners

• Capacity building of PAPs

􀂾 Dissemination of information regarding livelihood opportunities likely to be
created with operationalisation of the concerned industry

􀂾 Necessary counseling to assist them to transit from agricultural occupation to
non-agricultural occupations and participate in the growth process

􀂾 Identify the alternate livelihood and non-agricultural activities

􀂾 Provide adequate training for equipping the PAPs to avail of the employment
opportunities

􀂾 Facilitate self employment through training, providing credit linkage and
construction of commercial stalls

􀂾 Facilitate Self Help Groups for availing opportunities arising from outsourcing
of some activities by concerned industries with special focus on women.

• Community Development initiatives in the Project Affected Area

􀂾 Improve and upgrade road connectivity

􀂾 Provide access to clean drinking water and sanitation facilities

􀂾 Provide access to health facilities

􀂾 Provide access to education

Rehabilitation initiatives taken/proposed to be

taken in large projects in West Bengal

• Integrated Iron & Steel Plants-some key features

A large number of investors have evinced interest in setting up steel plants in the
State. The Government of West Bengal has entered or is the process of entering into
an agreement with them. Some of the key projects are the Jindal Steel and Shyam
Steel in Paschim Medinipur district, Bhushan Steel, Videocon and Abhijeet Steel in
Burdwan district, the Jai Balaji Group, Adhunik Steel and Shyam Steel in Purulia
district. In its agreement with all the Steel companies, the State Government has built
in the clause that the industry shall at its cost provide a rehabilitation, resettlement or
suitable employment package for the land losers whose land is to be acquired or
purchased for the Project and other Project Affected Persons. This will include setting
up new facilities and infrastructure and strengthening existing facilities and
infrastructure in relation to vocational training, education, self employment schemes
for the women, self help groups and social welfare measures such as healthcare,
crèches, drinking water sources and sanitation for PAPs. The rehabilitation and
resettlement package has to be commenced and implemented along with the
construction of the Steel Plants. The industry shall abide by and implement the
resettlement and rehabilitation package in consultation with the Government of West
Bengal. The industry may also utilise the services of the local Employment Exchange
for employment. The industry shall in consultation with GOWB, finalise and
announce the said package within a period of 6 (six) months from the identification of
the Project Land or 1 (one) year from the date of signing the agreement, whichever is
earlier.

• New Kolkata International Development (NKID)

-some key features

􀂾 Construction of Commercial Blocks with shops/stalls adjacent to roads for
allotment to land losers

􀂾 Four Vocational Training Centres (VTCs) for providing vocational training
free of cost to 5000 students/year. Maintenance and operation of the VTCs for
5 years by the Developer

􀂾 Development of Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) Industrial Estates in
different locations adjoining the road for allotment to medium and small scale
industries.

• Tata Small Car Factory, Singur

A Camp Office of WBIDC at Singur was set up in October 2006 with a view to
registering the names of the PAPs i.e., land losers and bargadars whose land had been
acquired for the project and landless agricultural labourers. Initially, WBIDC took the
initiative of capacity building of the PAPs by providing them appropriate training in
order to develop or upgrade the skills of the affected persons for availing of the job
opportunities likely to be created both locally as well as outside the project area
through forward and backward linkages. The rehabilitation strategy was therefore
multi pronged and built upon the premise that the skills of the PAPs may be
developed/upgraded in the best available technical institutions so as to enable them to
(i) avail of the local job opportunities that are likely to be created with the setting up
of TML plant and (ii) certified training may be provided to persons in areas with high
job potential to make them capable of availing job opportunities in any place. In the
process, a number of training institutions have been identified to impart suitable
training to the registered land losers/land less persons who were selected on the basis
of their suitability (aptitude, age, sex, educational qualification) to particular
categories of training.

Registration of PAPs as on 21.09.07

1. Total registered land-losers

Total registered landless persons
Total:
2338
586
2924

2. Persons covered under various Training Programmes

a) Completed
b) Ongoing(including18 trainees at TML, Jamshedpur)
c) Planned
Total :
448
356
805
1609

Technical Training:

Anticipating a significant demand of technically trained personnel likely to arise with
the operationalisation of the TML plant at Singur, 176 persons were nominated by
WBIDC for undergoing a four months’ course at RKM Shilpa Mandir, Belur Math in
November, 2006.In order to provide quality modular training in relevant trades to
meet the requirements of the auto industry, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)
was entered into between the Department of Technical Education and Training
(DTET), Government of West Bengal, WBIDC and TML on 25th April,2007 for
imparting class room training as per syllabus prepared by the Directorate of Industrial
Training in consultation with TML and approved by the State Certificate for
Vocational Training, West Bengal. A total of 279 trainees including 169 trainees
previously trained in RKM Shilpa Mandir were selected amongst the PAPs for
undergoing training at Ramkrishna Mission Shilpa Mandir, Howrah, Howrah homes
and Hooghly ITI. It was also agreed by the DTET that a short version of the course
would be designed for the persons who have already undergone the training in Belur
Math.

After successful completion of the training in the ITIs, the students will be
awarded the State Council for Vocational Training (SCVT) Certificate and thereafter
undergo factory training in the TML plant at Singur for 18 months, on completion of
which they would be eligible for the award of the National Council for Vocational
Training (NCVT) Certificate. It is expected that after successful completion of the
training, the students will be absorbed in the mother plant or in the ancillary units.
Another MoU on similar lines as the one signed on 24th April, 2007 was
signed between TML and WBIDC for providing training to 59 persons at ATI
Dasnagar (Govt. of India organization) on 14th May,2007. A third MoU was signed on
the 18th of September, 2007 between DTET, WBIDC and TML for training 101
persons from land loser families.

Other Trainings:

In addition to technical training, training was imparted in catering, tailoring, masonry,
computer hardware/MIS/call center and apparel manufacturing. The women trained in
catering are now operating the kitchen at Singur and providing cooked meals to the
project officials. The women trained by Singer in tailoring have since received orders
from TML for uniforms. All persons trained jointly by CII and WBIDC in masonry
are working on site. Due to practical problems, the PAPs have shown little interest to
travel to Kolkata/other places for work and therefore only a small number of persons
trained by NIIT in Hardware, MIS and Call Center/BPO and by Apparel Training
Development Centre in apparel manufacturing have been employed.

Community Development initiatives

A comprehensive drainage scheme has been implemented in Singur with the reexcavation
of Julkia river and construction of drainage infrastructure around the
project area to reduce water logging in the surrounding areas. In order to provide
access to villages surrounding the project area, two by-pass roads have been
constructed. In order to provide access to clean drinking water, 87 tubewells were resunk
and 100 tubewell platforms constructed in the project affected areas across 3
Gram Panchayats.97 ladies bathrooms have been constructed in the project affected
area. Repairing , renovation and reconstruction works were carried out in the school
building of Beraberi Suryanarayan Memorial High School.

• Kolkata Leather Complex

􀂾 1 acre of land has been earmarked for development of a market and the
construction of market stalls for land losers has since commenced

􀂾 Construction of a resettlement colony for the displaced families of the
Bederhait village and dwelling units provided free of cost along with related
facilities such as water, electricity, sewerage and drainage etc.

􀂾 3 training programmes are scheduled to be organized for the project affected
persons:

(i) Training for leather goods by the Indian Leather Product
Association(ILPA)
(ii) Training in tanning methods organized by Calcutta Leather Complex
Tanneries Association (CLTA) with the support of Council of leather
Exports (CLE) and ASSOMAC, Italy
(iii) Training on a variety of trades by the CII to increase employability of the
land losers

SOURCE: www.wbidc.com

Tata Motors “distressed” ; suspension of work will continue

Official Press Statement

Tata Motors Ltd. is distressed at the limited clarity on the outcome of the discussions between the West Bengal State Government and the representatives of the agitators in Singur. In view of the same, Tata Motors is obliged to continue the suspension of construction and commissioning work at the Nano Plant.We will review our stated position only if we are satisfied that the viability of the project is not being impinged, the integral nature of the mother plant and our ancillary units are being maintained and all stakeholders are committed to develop a long term congenial environment for smooth operations of the plant in Singur.

Spokesperson,

Tata Motors Ltd.

September 8, 2008

Issued by:Debasis Ray

Head (Corporate Communications)

Phone: 0091 22 66657209

Email: debasis.ray@tatamotors.com

http://www.tatamotors.com/

Suresh Rangarajan

Mobile: 098216 11560

Email: suresh@vccpl.com

Mahasweta Sen

Mobile: 098310 39900/99038 39900

Mahasweta@vccpl.com

Vaishnavi Corporate Communications

NOW RAHUL BAJAJ BACKS MAMATA! WHY?????

Bajaj backs Mamata

New Delhi, Sept. 7 (PTI): Rahul Bajaj, who is planning to launch a small car like the Nano, came out in strong support of Mamata Banerjee tonight, saying she was “not playing politics” over Singur but “fighting for farmers”.

On today’s resolution at Raj Bhavan, the Bajaj Auto chairman told CNN-IBN: “The agreement is subject to scrutiny of details worked out between the three parties, i.e., the vendors, Mamata and the West Bengal government.”

He added: “I am not sure what Tata Motors says on that but I do not believe that the West Bengal government would have given any commitment without first consulting Tata Motors. I hope it’s October October October and Singur Singur Singur for Tatas’ Nano.”

Two years ago, he said, the Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee government had not taken the issue “seriously”.

“Why are the ancillary units being moved now? Who was at fault? There was insensitivity on the part of the West Bengal government... then maybe they were at fault. I am not saying if the Tatas are at fault or not. There was a problem and it was buried for too long a duration,” he said.

THE TELEGRAPH,

Issue Date: Monday , September 8 , 2008

Mamata fought for farmers: Rahul Bajaj
8 Sep 2008, 0038 hrs IST,PTI

NEW DELHI: Leading industrialist Rahul Bajaj on Sunday night came out in strong support of Trinamool chief Mamata Banerjee, saying she was "not playing politics over the Singur issue" and was "fighting for farmers". Reacting to resolution of Singur impasse, the Bajaj Industry Chairman said, "the agreement is subject to scrutiny of details worked out between the three parties, that is the vendors, Mamata and the West Bengal government." Asked about his opinion on how he considered the decision, Bajaj said, "I am not sure what Tata Motors says on that but I do not believe that the West Bengal government would have given any commitment without first consulting Tata Motors. I hope its October and Singur for Tata's Nano." Bajaj went on say that two-years back the West Bengal government did not take the issue raised by Mamata Bannerjee "seriously". He stated that the fact that ancillary units are having to be moved cited "insensitivity on part of the West Bengal government." "Why are the ancillary units being moved now? Who was at fault? There was insensitivity on the part of the West Bengal government...then maybe they were at fault. I am not saying if the Tata's are at fault or not. There was a problem and it was buried for too long a duration," he said. Asked if the Tata's Nano project got caught in a political turf war, Bajaj responded, "Mamataji's party was trying to help poor farmers and calling it politics will be unfair. Maybe from one seat in the Parliament she wants 10-20 seats, to that extent politics come into the picture...it is not necessarily bad. I do not want to play any blame game."

TIMES OF INDIA,

8TH SEPETMBER,2008

SINGUR IMPASSE: GOVERNOR' STATEMENTS

Press Release

Governor's statement on September 7

at joint press-meet on Singur site

Dated: 07.09.2008

Following is the announcement made by Governor in
the joint press-meet in presence of Shri Buddhadeb
Bhattacharjee, Hon'ble Chief Minister of West Bengal;
Shri Partha Chatterjee, leader of the Opposition, West
Bengal Legislative Assembly; Smt. Mamata Banerjee
and State Ministers Shri Nirupam Som and Shri
Surjya Kanta Mistra and other leaders in Raj Bhavan
on September7,2008:-

"The Government has taken the decision to respond
to the demands of those farmers who have not
received compensation, by means of land to be
provided to the maximum within the project area and
the rest in adjacent areas as early as possible.
Towards this, a Committee will be constituted to
ascertain the scope and settle the modalities within a
period of one week. During this time the Government
will urge the vendors not to make any construction.
Smt. Mamata Banerjee is making an announcement
regarding the suspension of the agitation from Singur.
The Government and those who have been agitating
on behalf of the farmers will cooperate with each
other for the benefit of the industry, agriculture and
ancillaries."


Press Release (II)
Dated 5.9.08

Discussions were held between the
State Government panel and the
panel representing Krishi Jomi
Rakhsa Committee on the Singur
project for three hours. Both sides
expressed their respective views
and discussions were held in a
constructive spirit with the
intention of providing a way-out.
The discussions will resume at 11
a.m. tomorrow.

Press Release

Dated 4.9.08

Sub: Preliminary Discussions On Singur

The Governor held preliminary discussion this morning with Shri Nirupam Sen, Minister-in-charge, Commerce & Industries and Dr. Surya Kanta Misra, Minister-in-charge, Health, Panchayats & Rural Development; the Chief Secretary; the Home Secretary and Principal Secretary, Commerce & Industries Department.

Shri Sudeep Bandopadhyay, MLA and Chairman, Standing Committee on Commerce & Industries, Industrial Reconstruction and Public Enterprises, West Bengal Legislative Assembly briefed the Governor on his Committee's perceptions of the issue.

In the afternoon, a five-member team led by Shri Partha Chatterjee,MLA and leader of the Opposition, West Bengal Legislative Assembly and including Shri Debabrata Bandopadhyay briefed the Governor on the Opposition perspectives. Mr. Justice Chittatosh Mukherjee was present at all the discussions.The Governor is looking forward to a meaningful dialogue tomorrow.