“Will Mamata keep promise?”

At a joint convention of central trade unions and federations here on Thursday, questions were raised whether Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee would keep her promise of returning land to ‘unwilling' farmers, with the Singur Land Rehabilitation and Development Act running into legal controversies.

‘Questions raised'

“Earlier an ordinance was passed by the State government to return land to farmers [who had given it for Tata Motor's Nano car factory, since relocated] only to cancel it a day later. Now that the Bill is passed, Tata Motors has dragged the government to court, calling the Act unconstitutional. With the government allowing gaping legal loopholes in a serious matter, questions are being raised about Ms. Banerjee's intent,” said Shyamal Chakraborty, West Bengal president of the Centre of Indian Trade Unions.

The convention was organised to observe an All-India Demands Day against price rise, corruption, and privatisation and to demand social security measures.