Tata’s Singur project: All promises turns into hoax

700 youth lost job today (July 1) from Tata’s Singur project. They all guarded the land from any mischief for 19 months day and night in lieu of Rs 68 per day, but did not receive any recognition finally, neither from the state, nor from the Tatas..

ALMOST 700 youth who had all through guarded the land for Tatas at Singur, lost their jobs on daily wages from today (July 1). They all belong to the local areas like Beraberi, Gopalnagar and KGD. Among them 250 belong to the families who have sacrificed their high yielding agricultural land for the Tata Motor’s project.

At the same time, 339 trained workers belonging to such families are still waiting for a job offer from Tatas. 359 youth received training in different technical jobs on their own after the West Bengal Industrial Development Corporation (WBIDC) and local Communist Party of India, Marxist [CPI(M)] leaders assured them a job after the training is over. Now the local leaders are avoiding them. 20 out of these 339 youth have decided to go for hunger strike from July 2 in front of the main gate of the factory at Singur.

The land was procured by WBIDC on December 1, 2006. Local people agitated. Police had to take stern actions against the agitators and helped WBIDC to take over the land. On the day itself, WBIDC appointed 700 youth, mainly from the families who had sold their land for the project, to guard the guard wall of the then proposed project. Their daily wages was 68 rupees. They have saved the land from the agitators risking their lives for months without caring the winter, monsoon and scorching sun of summer.

The situation overturned after Tatas initiated construction. The WBIDC, which has spent Rs 47600 everyday for them, suddenly stopped payment five months ago. Finally a few days back, WBIDC issued a circular that they are no more required from July 1. All of them have gone back to their old status from today. They do not even know when their due will be cleared.

During procuring land, the state government had all through maintained that after Tata comes, the entire locality will see an economic boom. Educated or uneducated – everybody will get a job – either in Tata’s factory or in other industries. Indirect employment will also be ensured. The families, which have given their land for the project were specifically assured of one job in Tata Motors.

Now all hopes have withered away overnight. None knows what is their future.