The Hindu Business Line : Industry captains back Tatas

Kolkata/New Delhi/Chennai, Aug 29 Industry leaders are rallying behind Tata Motors calling for an early end to the impasse at its Singur project site in West Bengal, where the company plans to produce its low-cost small car Nano.

Last week, Mr Ratan Tata, Chairman of the Tata group, had said at a press conference in Kolkata that the company would not hesitate to pull out of Singur if protests against the project persisted.

Two days ago, the Reliance Industries’ Chairman, Mr Mukesh Ambani, had expressed his support for the project and wanted a solution found for the problem. Today, more industry captains expressed their support for the project and called for an early end to the impasse.

“The Tatas pulling out of West Bengal would be unfortunate for India. Nano is seen as a world car and has drawn international acclaim. Immediate political dialogue to find a solution towards keeping the project in West Bengal is imperative. If the House of Tatas, known for its values and care for the society, can face such resistance, the much needed fresh wave of industrialisation in the country could suffer,” Mr Sunil Bharti Mittal, Chairman and Group CEO, Bharti Enterprises, said.

In a statement, Mr Venu Srinivasan, Managing Director, Sundaram-Clayton Ltd, said industrialisation is an imperative for the progress of the country and its development. “We have one of the youngest populations in the world, and millions are entering the working age population every year. In this context every effort at greater industrialisation and employment generation has to be welcomed,” he said.

Mr C.K. Birla, Chairman, Hindustan Motors, said the “Tata’s Nano project is a prestigious project for India and for West Bengal. It showcases India’s manufacturing and innovative capabilities. The plant to be functional in West Bengal reinforces the State’s commitment towards industrial resurgence. It would be unfortunate if issues other than economic and social come to play and force the Tata management to consider pulling out of Singur.”

The Chief Mentor of CII, Mr Tarun Das, has described the Singur situation as “disconcerting”. He has said, “the adverse impact of the continued violence and intimidation of the workforce of the Nano plant is not restricted to Singur or West Bengal but will resonate in India’s global image.”

Related Stories:
Mukesh Ambani decries Singur agitation

More Stories on : New Projects | Cars | Politics | Tata Motors Ltd

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page