Even as the state government today handed over the land ‘parchas’ to the farmers of Singur, both “willing” and “unwilling” farmers are in a dilemma over the status of the land whether it will ever be back to a condition where it can be cultivated again.
“We are happy that we have got back our land and money.
But, we don’t know what to do with the land. We have to see what can be done, whether the condition of it can be improved so that it can be cultivated again. If it can’t be cultivated, we will have to look for other options,” said Prasanta Das, an “unwilling” farmer who received both the cheque and the ‘parcha’ today.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee handed over the land ‘parchas’ and cheques to the farmers even as she sent messages to companies saying anyone willing to set up automobile factories in the state was “welcome”.
Distributing land parchas among 9,117 farmers and cheques among 806 persons amid jubilation, Banerjee said, “Today, I am happy because I have kept my promise (of returning the farmland)”.
“Let’s see, what can be done with the land. If it returns to a position where it can be cultivated once again, it’s good. Or else, we will wait for Mamata Banerjee’s direction and see what can be done,” said R Chakraborty, who received the ‘parcha’ and the cheque.