Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

Singur aftermath

This refers to the editorial “Coalition of the irresponsibles” (Oct. 6). A time-bound solution was needed to address the Singur imbroglio, which arose due to a blend of political compulsions, administrative constraints and a misplaced emphasis on what was already done rather than on what was to be done. The Singur platform provided an excellent opportunity for a solution in which the definition of sufficient compensation for land-providers could have been evolved, and an agreed policy on land acquisition and compensation formulated for future industrial expansions.

N. K. Sinha,

Chennai The editorial has aptly described the attitude of persons like Medha Patkar and Mamata Banerjee. “Irresponsibles” is too mild a word to describe them. By blindly opposing development projects, they do a great disservice to the people and the nation. Socio-economic development of the people is not only the duty but also the right of the government of the day. Governments should not allow their duty and right to be held hostage by irresponsibles.

A. Paramesham,

Hyderabad

The problems in rural areas are unemployment and underemployment, resulting in low or limited purchasing power and lack of means to procure basic necessities. One of the solutions is industrialisation, which transformed a once-sleepy Sakchi village in Chhota Nagpur into a prosperous Jamshedpur, thanks to the vision of the Tatas. Unfortunately, in every State, fringe groups oppose every development move to further their own goals.

P. Esakki Muthu,

Tuticorin With the Tatas abandoning the Nano project in Singur, those who voluntarily gave up their land and were promised jobs have been let down. For West Bengal, the pullout spells industrial backwardness.

S. Sundar Rajan,

Nagercoil It is sad that the Nano project is being shifted out of West Bengal. Had Ms Banerjee been in the Chief Minister’s seat, the Left parties too might have opposed the project.

It is the farmers who got employment and small-time new business entrepreneurs who are the losers.

K. V. Rao,

Hyderabad

Had Ms Banerjee been truly concerned about the welfare of the land-owners from whom land for the Singur project was acquired, she would have intervened at the time of acquisition.

A. Janiulabdeen,

Chennai Alas, politics has prevailed over development. This indicates the faultlines in our democracy, which has been manipulated by unscrupulous elements. When there are legal methods available for redress of grievances, if any, there was no excuse for resorting to undemocratic protests.

Viraj Deshpande,

Puducherry One is left wondering whether the Singur episode was about the people against government, agriculture against industrialisation, the Tatas against the Trinamool Congress or the CPI(M) against the Trinamool.

Those who consider the Tatas’ pullout a victory of the people’s movement are unaware of its repercussions on West Bengal’s industrial development.

Devendra L. Abbigeri,

Dharwad West Bengal will not forgive or forget Ms Banerjee, who is responsible for the Tata Motors leaving Singur. She has hindered the growth of her State for political gains. Had she been interested in the welfare of her people, she would have helped to find an amicable end to the stalemate through a dialogue.

J. Churchill,

Chennai Industrialisation is no doubt a necessity but it cannot be achieved at the cost of agriculture and the masses who depend on it. Concurrence of the masses, not compensation, should be the criterion for acquiring land.

Singur has taught bitter lessons to the government as well as the Opposition.

N. Divakar,

Mysore Ms Banerjee and her associates have done a great disservice to West Bengal’s industrial development. Derailing economic development for narrow political gains is not uncommon. Now, it is time for political parties to learn how not to put roadblocks to the much-needed and urgent industrial development in our country.

J. John Sundararaj,

Kanyakumari Ms Banerjee is not solely to blame for the sorry state of affairs. Whether it is on FDI or SEZ, the Left parties take different stands in States ruled by them and in the States where they are in the Opposition. The Singur episode will discourage other industrialists from investing in West Bengal. The State government has a lot of damage control work to do.

S. Ganapathisubramanian,

Chennai The pullout of the Tatas from Singur should open the eyes of those who are in favour of liberalisation and privatisation. The private sector does not care for people’s welfare; it is concerned only with the profit and loss equations.

A.S.L. Narasimha Rao,

Khammam

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