Calcutta: The Bengal government on Monday decided to return 11 acres to 52 families in Siliguri's Kawakhali, reversing a decision by the Left Front government and equating the populist move to the return of land in Singur.

The 11.442 acres to be returned were part of 302 acres acquired in 2005 by the Siliguri Jalpaiguri Development Authority under CPM leader Asok Bhattacharya.

"The land will be returned to the 52 families. The decision was taken at the cabinet meeting on Monday. The land was taken from them in the Left era.... This return and restoration is like what we did in Singur," parliamentary affairs minister Partha Chatterjee said on Monday evening.

The government, however, has not set a specific deadline for the return as such an exercise is usually a lengthy process.

Sources in Trinamul said the populist move was basically "playing to the galleries" in north Bengal, where the chief minister wants to expand her party.

"She wants absolute control of the plains, where we already have a firm foothold. These things help in consolidating our position there," said a Trinamul leader.

Originally acquired for industry, parts of the land were given to private healthcare facilities and educational institutions, besides the Centre for a Central Reserve Police Force facility. A smart city over 80-odd acres was also planned.

At the cabinet meeting, the government also decided to fill 1,200 vacancies, primarily in the transport and education departments.

"Ahead of the panchayat polls next year, decisions to fill several thousand vacancies will be announced," said a source in the government.