As directed by the Calcutta High Court, the West Bengal government on Friday filed an affidavit on the writ petition filed by Tata Motors challenging the constitutional validity of the Singur Land Rehabilitation and Development Act 2011.
Justice Soumitra Pal has directed Tata Motors to file its reply by July 12. The matter will be heard on July 14.
The Act was enacted last month, empowering the government to take control of the land of the now relocated Tata Nano small car factory and distribute a portion of it to farmers who had “unwillingly” parted with their holdings for the project — those who had not taken compensation.
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Tata Motors moved the High Court on June 22, challenging the Act and praying for an injunction on its implementation.
Samaraditya Pal, counsel for Tata Motors, told the court that the company was dispossessed late on June 21 evening — a development that has been mentioned in an amendment to its petition.
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Private hearing
The hearing on the amendment was held in camera on Thursday and Justice Pal directed the government to file its affidavit by July 11 and Tata Motors its reply by July 13.
The Supreme Court has stayed distribution of land to the “unwilling farmers” until further orders from the High Court. The hearing on both matters — the original writ petition and the amendment — will be held on July 14.