The Hindu Business Line : Tatas threat to pull out

Mr Ratan Tata’s statement that Tata Motors will pull out of Singur if there is no improvement in the situation there is a reminder of the sad state of affairs prevailing between politics and business. Even though the affected people have been suitably compensated, it is disheartening to note that due to political pressures the project is being stalled. We hope the Centre intervenes and sees that all possible support and protection are given to businesses.

*V. Narayanan, Navi Mumbai

Mr Ratan Tata has threatened to pull out from Singur if violence is not brought under control. Farmers are agitating as their livelihood is in danger. The Nano car project is spread across 400 acres and the ancillary units also occupy considerable land. Although these projects need land, it must be planned accordingly.

Agricultural land should not be directed for industries. West Bengal has very few industries and it must realise that no industrialist will tolerate agitations and violence.

V. Ramjee, e-mail

If the Tatas decide to pull out of the Nano project in Singur, it will have a far-reaching impact on the industrial environment of the State. It may simply mean disaster for West Bengal.

Though the Governments may change, it is the people who will be the ultimate sufferers. The politicians on their part must accord top priority for industrial development and make themselves accountable. Let’s hope sanity prevails.

M.S. Vaidyanathan, Chennai

S. Nallasivan

The West Bengal Government must see to it that the Tatas’ Nano is rolled out from the factory as scheduled, else it will set a bad precedent for new investors. It will also discourage the existing industrial units from undertaking expansion plans, which may once again involve acquiring additional land.

S. Nallasivan, Tirunelveli

The Tata episode has sparked off anguish and a sense of exasperation amongst industrialists and the public in general.

As the contract is between the Tatas and the West Bengal Government, the onus lies on the Government to clear all the hurdles before giving the green signal. The consensus of all the agriculturists, who are the rightful occupants, should have been obtained prior to the allocation of land for industrial purpose. But the Government was found lacking in its efforts.

Ashok Jayaram, e-mail

First it was the POSCO in Orissa. Now it is Singur in West Bengal. Politicians don’t seem concerned about the industrial development in the State. Obstructing such projects, which are bound to generate a lot of jobs, is foolhardy. Industrial development is an engine for economic growth. It attracts a lot of investment, generates jobs and provides infrastructure.

A participatory approach, involving the farmers, must be evolved for such projects. From the media reports, one can notice that other States such as Maharashtra, Himachal Pradesh and Punjab have extended the red carpet for Tatas to relocate their project in their States. Compelling Tata to move to other States will send the wrong signal to India Inc. This will obviously result in flight of capital to other States, where the industrial climate is conducive for business.

Jatinder Pal Singh, New Delhi

The statement by Ratan Tata to pull out from Singur, if the agitations continued, has created tension among India Inc. Agricultural land is the lifeline of the rural poor. The State should examine the feasibility of providing non-agricultural land for industrial purpose and provide the necessary infrastructure for the growth of the industry. If the use of agricultural land is unavoidable, then the farmers should be compensated adequately and in a transparent manner.

T. R. Anandan, Coimbatore

If Tatas are made to move out of West Bengal, the industrial future of the State will become bleak and the credibility of the Government will take a beating. In future, no other industrialists will come forward to set up any plant in West Bengal.

The Tatas have already spent so much on the project at Singur and any further disruption or its relocation to some other State will surely dampen the spirit of industrialisation in the State. Mr Tata’s statement that he cannot run the factory with regular police protection is a reflection of utter disappointment.

Now the West Bengal Government must take up the issue with all seriousness and work towards a peaceful solution.

Dr K. K. Ammannaya, Udupi

The Tatas are always known for their commitment towards the community development in and around their industrial establishments. Jamshedpur being the most sparkling example. At Singur, they have already promised to impart training to the local population. Failure to capitalise on this opportunity would be a blunder for the State. Lastly, the Nano project is the pride of India’s engineering capabilities and the global automotive sector is looking forward to its roll-out. Therefore, in the greater interest of the State and the country, the opposition parties should withdraw their agitation against the project.

Karthik P.H, Chennai

Ratan Tata planned the Nano project in West Bengal in order to produce the cheapest car for the public. If the project takes off, people in the surrounding areas will get employment and it would generate income to the State. Now other Sates have expressed interest in the project and are ready to offer all the necessary infrastructure.

K. Nagarajan, e-mail

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