Land Battle at Singur!

They say 'Justice hurried, justice burried' as well as "justice delayed,justice denied'.So it's advisable to follow moderate pace in this regard.But Mamata Banerjee is in unusual hurry, as if the time is running out, to fulfill the electoral promises of returning land to the 'unwilling' farmers of Singur.Return of acquired land to the land losers is admittedly a complicated legal process.Perhaps there is no precedence in this regard in the history of land deal in our country for public purposes.(Calcutta high court recognised making of Tat'a's Nano factory at Singur as public purpose).If Mamata Banerjee is ultimately successful in returning land to the 'unwilling' land losers at Singur negotiating legal hurdles, she would be acclaimed a pioneer in this respect.However,for this she primarily requires patience and every move is made with utmost care and caution.But she brooks no delay as her wont. and wishes to see the process complete almost over night.In fact, the more impatient she would be, the more likely for her to commit legal mistakes.

Though she herself claims 30days' notice is required prior to distributing land to the land losers, then why did she decide to return land to 12 'unwilling' farmers today as publicised in a large section of press?Of course,she herself in public and her lawyers in Supreme court have denied it but people know what's true.Did her men think Tatas won't get stay order on land distribution process so easily from SC and by this time land would be returned to the land losers.?If so,it was a facile optimism. In fact, such a hurry coupled with apparent trickery does not behove a govt that has come to power with massive mandate.

Press and Government

Now is going the honey moon period for the press with the new govt in the state. So the electronic as well the print media are vying with each other to show how more effusively one can eulogies the activities of the govt than the other. However, in doing so they are rendering more harm than good to the new govt. No doubt Mamata Banerjee in short span of time has brought home to people that he means only business. But she’s in a hurry as if she has not been elected for 5yrs term. So she's unnecessarily entangled herself in controversial issues that could have been attended to later on. Immediately after assuming office she tried to make the contract between Tatas and the Left front govt on Nano factory at Singur public. Due to legal hurdle she’d to back track. Again, for return of land to the 'unwilling' farmers of Singur she made an ordinance and that too faced rough weather because it proved to be unconstitutional and was almost forthwith abadoned.Then she passed Singur Bill in assembly in voice vote amid walk out of the opposition. The Bill was turned into law after it was signed by guv.As a fall out of these legislation farmers in other parts of the state have as expected started demanding return of their land too. What’s most serious is that Tatas have challenged this Singur legislation; it was of course a foregone conclusion, in the court of law. It’s likely the matter would roll down to the Supreme Court for final verdict and till then good-bye to return of land to the unwilling farmers of Singur.
True, TaTas are not in the good book of the present govt. for reasons known to all. Our new CM still refers TaTas as Tatababu rather sarcastically. But TaTas can’t be ignored as they’re now the biggest industrial house in the country. That apart if Tatas are treated so ignobly other players in the industry would think twice before investing in our state. All ready own-your-own-land policy for industries has perhaps made many players to turn their eyes away from our state. In fact, future of much-needed heavy industries that help in employment generation in a big way have become more or less bleak in our state. Instead of clapping all the time press should go in for constructive criticism whenever necessary and advise the govt in meaningful way. A critical press is much more desirable than a docile one to the govt which genuinely want to work for people.

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In lighter vein only

KMC's disaster management:
When it heavily rains in the city we never use pumps to remove water now.It might sound bizarre but our new plan helps people in a big way.See, it's difficult to wade through water- logged streets, may it be ankle-deep or knee-deep.So allow water to accumulate and press a number of boats in service.People'd merrily ply in boats.However,when it does not rain that heavily we pump in water to make water at a navigable level.Then Kolkata looks like Venice and our tourism industry has a field day.We'll go to London from Venice as Didi's desired.
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First Vote Bank Then Industrialisation!

Politicians' eyes are always glued to vote bank.They're ready to ignore ground reality if their vote bank pays them dividend. Land acquisition issue has paid enormous return to Mamata Banerjee.In fact, her anti land-grab movement has attributed to her a farmer friendly image that has ensconced her in state power. So while drafting land acquisition bill of the state she's meticulously avoided govt's interference in land deal.For entrepreneurs willing to establish an industry in the the state her advice to them is own-your -own land.The message is straightforward and clear that govt has washed its hands of land procurement for them.She's not even stopped short of advising the industrialists that they should cut their coat according to their cloth if they fail to procure sufficient land for their industries,True,it spares govt from embarrassment of land grabbing and thus from displeasing the farmers who constitute the vote bank but it discourages many industrialists to own their own land as it's a tedious and some times an impossible process that might compel them call it a day and go away to other states where land procurement procedure is rather easier.It's very likely we won't have heavy industries in our state that require vast tract of land.Perhaps, we'll have to be content with small and medium industries,tourism industries etc that need much lesser quantum of land.To be precise,play to the gallery to have your vote bank in tact and then bother about state's industrialisation. .

Lokpal-Now or Never!

In last 42 yrs Lokpal Bill was revived almost as many as ten times in parliament but it could not be passed. It’s no wonder if it can't be passed this time too. But unlike on other occasions now public endeavor and enthusiasm have come to such a pass that if the bill fails to see the light of the day even this time, perhaps it'll never do it in future. It’s quite likely there would be difference of opinion between the civil society and the govt representatives but it can be sorted out through dialogues if the govt has a genuinely good intention to have a powerful bill that would truly combat corruptions in a very effective manner, otherwise a toothless and clawless bill has no meaning at all. Sometimes govt representatives suffer from ego that they're elected personalities while the members of the civil societies are not. They've spelt it out more often than not. But they should not forget the Civil society too have overwhelming popular support as was evident when Anna Hzare was continuing his fast unto death. Admittedly, Anna enjoys much more public confidence than his govt counterpart. So opinion of Anna and Civil society should get due weitage from the govt. It might sound harsh but it's true people have practically lost all confidence in the public representatives because of their inability to pass the Lokpal bill in last 42 yrs and pamper massive corruptions in high places. On the other hand, people have reposed all faith in Anna's honesty and integrity to fight against burgeoning corruptions. So if this time too Bill fails to get through people will never forgive the Govt. and a mass upsurge against corruptions will take place.

Suicidal Bengalis!

You've rightly said dream has come true(TOI,June 15).Yes,people of Singur has got proverbial 'nail cutter' for 'nose'.Sadly,Singur Bill will go down as a blot in the history of industrialisation of the state.What an irony of fate! Now Singur should have buzzed with industrial activities with a lot of people working in Tata's Nano factory and many more working in ancillaries.Many other people would have found jobs in different nooks and corners spouting around the automobile industry.But fate destined it otherwise.Some people draped in green abir in Singur are now found dancing before TV camera with the hope they would get back their land to till again.Didi is damn satisfied to be able to return the land of 'unwilling farmers' who played a significant role to catapult her to state power.She has no remorse whatsoever that an automobile factory which could feed a lot people and totally change the complexion of Singur.What's more media too prefer to remain silent on this count.What an ill-fated state we're living in.Aren't Bengalis really suffering from suicidal tendency as claimed by a legendary Bengali author? ,

Anna's tyranny

Since long way back in 1969 several attempts have been made to pass Lokpal bill to contain corruptions but each time attempt has miserably failed. By this time corruptions have increased manifold and India now stands out as one of the most corrupt nations of the world. It definitely makes our heads hang in shame. If Anna Hazare had not initiated movement against corruptions things would have kept going as usual. Overwhelming popular support Anna received indicates how people were earnestly looking for such a movement with pent-up rage. However, ominously attempts are constantly being made to dilute the movement or make it a flop by vested interest. Though Anna belongs to no particular political party, from some quarters Anna's intention is downgraded by motivatedly calling him RSS agent or BJP activist. In reality, it does not matter whether Anna belongs to any political party or not, what matters is his uncompromising and unrelenting fight against corruption that has shaken the govt and awakened it to the reality of passing the long awaited and long cherished all-encompassing Lokpal Bill that's powerful enough to combat massive corruption that has overtaken our nation particularly at the higher echelon of our society.Anna is sometimes called the extraconstitional center of power to belittle his position as a true crusader against corruption. But what have those at the constitutional center of power(MPs,Ministers etc) been doing against all pervasive corruptions since long? Unfortunately, they have been apparently pampering corruptions. What's most deplorable is Anna's doggedness to include Prime minister and higher judiciary in the purview of Lokpal bill is labelled as 'tyranny' by some congress men.In fact, such type of 'tyranny' is welcome for noble cause.Let Anna and the civil society continue with this 'tyrant' attitude till the Bill is passed in parliament in the most effective form to combat corruptions particularly in high places.
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Return of Land!

Immediately after assuming office Mamata Banerjee declared to return 400 acres of land at TaTa's factory site at Singur to the unwilling farmers.It's her recognition of indebtedness to the farmers of Singur who helped her in a big way to grab state power.So intense is her desire to pay up the debt she hurriedly got an ordinance regarding return of land signed by guv.But to negotiate one legal hurdle,she was entangled in a new hurdle.According to legal expert the ordinance on land issue was unconstitutional and so it was abandoned much to her as well as guv's embarrassment.But she's the last person to yield to any hurdle, legal or other wise.In fact she's made of sterner stuff.So she's decided to pass Singur Bill in assembly tomorrow to ensure return of the proposed land.But only legal experts know its consequence.However,if the bill is passed without glitch, the operative part is sure to create problem.As the plots of land of unwilling farmers are sporadically distributed in factory site it'll be difficult to locate them and what's more is to return them to the real owner of the land.Any way, let us wait and watch how the puzzle is solved.

Allowing to work freely!

Presidency University:
It's a welcome development for Presidency University that Chief minister Mamata Banerjee has decided to appoint Nobel Laureate Dr.Amartya Sen as Mentor of the university and Prof.Sugato Bose as the Chairperson of the Committee to be formed for the betterment of the varsity. They'd select the other members of the committee.Govt would in no way interfere in the process of selection, Chief minister has claimed. The chairperson-to-be Prof.Sugato Bose is now Gardiner Professor Of Oceanic History and Affairs at Harvard University.Incidentally,Prof.Bose is the son of former Trinomool MP Krishna Bose.If in reality no political influence is exercised as promised and the committee formed be allowed to act freely and fairly, it won't be difficult for the committee to recruit teachers and staff as well strictly on merit. Then Presidency University would perhaps stand out as a Center of Excellence. Let us hope for the best.

Reclaiming Black Money!

There's a row over Baba Ramdev's proposed fast at Ramlila Maidan Delhi.His fast is aimed at recovering black money stashed abroad.Anna Hazare too made fast unto death for Lokpal Bill to eradicate corruptions in high places. Support he received from people across the country was so unbelievably massive and spontaneous ,perhaps triggered by manifestation of their time long pent-up rage against corruption,govt bent on its knees to concede to Anna's demand to draft a very stringent Lokpal bill.However,unfortunately members of the drafting commitee could not come to consensus and the fate of the bill is hanging in the balance.It must be pointed out since Independence several attempts have been made to pass Lokpal bill but it failed each time.Corruptions have increased manifold by this time too.Similarly union govts have promised to take measures against black money since long but practically nothing has been done to retrieve black money from swiss banks or from other safe havens abroad.Now when Baba Ramdev is going to mount pressure on the govt to recover black money through his proposed fast ministers are almost falling at his feet to dissuade him not to go on fast.Govt knows like Anna, Baba Ramdev too would receeive overwhelming and spontaneous popular support from all sections of people in the country that would shake the govt to the root.Congress men criticise. Ramdev or Anna has constituted ,in fact, extraconstitutional center of power as is evident from the attention particularly Ramdev is receiving from govt.Such critcism is, however, meaningless as it's the utter failure, both moral and administrative, of the govts to do their duties that have compelled Ramdev or Anna to come forward to mend the lapses done by the govts.

Barracking the Left

Dear Sir,
Ridicule and banter you've hurled at the former Chief Minister(TOI,June 1) in connection with yesterday's LF rally reek of bad taste and is sheer unbecoming of a news daily like yours.Role reversal is part and parcel of democracy and it's healthy too.It was partly because there was no strong opposition ,LF continued in power for so long.TMC and Congress combine constituted a viable opposition that dislodged the Left from power.There's nothing new in it as it so happens almost in every democratic system.But media had blown the incident out of proportions and adorned it with epithets like 'historic', unprecedented etc.In fact, you got hysteric about this swapping of power and made this hysteric syndromes percolate down to people at large.Some compare the fall of LF regime with fall of Bastille in French revolution. Some say Bengal is 'unshackled' after LF is routed in polls as if people were robbed of their fundamental rights in Left regime.Do you think Left have done nothing good in 34 yrs and it harked back to power with overwhelming majority for consecutively 7 times in 2006 as electorate were all pack of fools?Did you ever spare a word of praise for the Left?Perhaps you have not. On the contrary, attempts have been systematically made to inject a sense of hatred in people's psyche by repeatedly maligning the LF on some pretext or other.In this respect you perhaps excelled even Mamata Banerjee who used to spew venom on CPM as her arch rival.What's unfortunate is she's mellowed down after elections but you have not.But please don't forget 42% of electorate in the state still support the Left.