The automobile manufacturer — which has challenged the Singur Land Development and Rehabilitation Act, 2011 — also discussed the issue with the then Left Front government, Tata Motors counsel Samaraditya Pal said during the hearing.
In a letter to WBIDC on September 28, 2010, Tata Motors said it would consider an alternative project in that area only if it was satisfied that there is no further law and order problem. Samaraditya Pal today submitted before Justice Saumitra Pal that Tata Motors was considering an alternative investment in Singur, and it could not be accused of abandoning the area. “They (WBIDC) have not responded to the letter (of September 28, 2010). Neither did they send any denial,” Samaraditya Pal said.
Siddhartha Mitra, another counsel of Tata Motors, added, “The situation on the ground (at Singur) was not congenial. Hostility increased after January 2008 and only by end of the year TML said they were relocating.”
The state government had earlier argued that Tata Motors had abandoned Singur and was holding on to the land. Advocate general Anindya Mitra had also alleged that the automobile manufacturer was holding on to it as ransom and asking for compensation.
Barrister Pal pointed out that it was mentioned in the lease agreement that in case of any civil disturbance, of all operations would be suspended during the period.