West Bengal government on Tuesday passed the Singur Bill in the Assembly even as the Left voiced protest. Although the Bill has empowered the government to re-acquire the land and redistribute it, it has also raised many questions to which West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has no answers yet.

The Left while in agreement with the objective of the bill, differed on crucial points. Differentiating between willing and unwilling farmers would amount to violating Article 14 of the Constitution that guarantees equity.

Leader of Opposition in West Bengal Assembly Surjya Kanta Mishra said, "When such a conflict arises, the Act made by Parliament will have an overriding effect over the legislation made by the state. Then this legislation will be of no use."

The government, meanwhile, made amendments to the bill to ensure that land can now be redistributed from anywhere in the 997 acre plot, and also the 600 odd acres that was leased to Tata Motors. In its response, Tata Motors stated, "The company had invested nearly Rs 1800 crore in establishing the plant. Tata Motors will study the Bill and take appropriate steps."

The Bill has been passed and Mamata Banerjee is happy at having fulfilled her first commitment. But she may well have waded into dozens of court cases from aggrieved parties. The action then moves from the state Legislative Assembly to the Calcutta High Court.