Singur Bengal's problem, Centre won't intervene

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New Delhi: The Central Government has made clear it has no role to play in the stand-off between Trinamool Congress and West Bengal government over land for Tatas' small car project and that it was for the state to find a solution.

"There is no role for the central government...it is for the state government to decide," Science and Technology Minister Kapil Sibal said after briefing about the Union Cabinet meeting here.

He was asked if the Cabinet discussed the Singur issue, including reports that Tatas have stopped work on the Nano car plant.

Sibal said the Cabinet did not discuss the issue.

His comment's are at variance with that of Commerce and Industry Minister Kamal Nath, who earlier this week stated that the Centre could play a facilitator role in resolving the crisis that deepened after Ratan Tata threatened to withdraw the project from the state unless peace prevailed.

Singur project is virtually under siege by Trinamool Congress workers, who for the sixth successive continued to block movements in and out of the factory to press for return of 400 acres of the 1,000 acres acquired by the state government for the project.

Suggesting that a balance should be struck, Sibal said: "We should not damage investor confidence and at the same time we should not be unjust to people."

He said "investment is not an objective in itself (but) it should come with justice."