The 997-acre plot in Singur handed over by the West Bengal government to Tata Motors [Get Quote] is likely to remain in the hands of the company and can be returned only after a year or so.

According to sources in the state government, some parcels of the land handed over directly by the state to selected vendors to build the Nano car could be returned earlier.

Some vendor units would have got some land from Tata Motors and they could be returning their plots to the company, they added.

"The return of land by the company to the government is not simple--there are legal and contractual obligations that have to be negotiated and settled," a government source said.

The contract signed between the government and the company is yet to be revealed in full.

"We cannot reveal the exact clauses that have to be settled," said the source.

The Tata Motors  spokesperson contacted by Business Standard said the company will discuss the issue of return of land with the government.

One part of the agreement related to soft loans, tax breaks and other concessions extended by the government has been made public. However, the release of the second and confidential part has been blocked by the company through a legal case after an application for its release was filed by some individuals under the Right to Information Act.

Left ministers of the state have been claiming that there are investors willing to set up projects on the land after it is returned by the company.

"I cannot confirm any identified investor, but the location of the plot on the National Highway 2 makes it ideal for projects," said the source.

"In any case, the laws at present do not permit return of acquired land to the land losers despite their demand and their agitation," said the state official.

As of now, the plot houses a small complex which was being used for training purposes, and another for design and planning at the Singur site.