The government is also ready to work out a special compensation package if that can work towards a solution, said official sources. 

“It is a welcome step that she is open to talks with the Tatas. The project cannot be scrapped at this stage. Let her say whatever she wants to say at the discussion table. The Tatas will also not withdraw from the project,” Basu told newsmen after attending CPM’s Friday meeting at the state secretariat.

Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee and Commerce and Industries Minister Nirupam Sen attended the meet.

Party sources said Mamata’s demand to return farmland to unwilling farmers was discussed at the meeting. “At this stage, return of land is not possible legally or technically, so the party is looking for a better compensation package,” said a senior leader.

Government sources, too, said that returning land is more or less ruled out. Which is why the possibility of a better compensation package ¿ as Nirupam Sen indicated recently — is being reassessed.

The other aspect that is being looked into is provision of government jobs for those who have lost their land.