The Hindu : Business : ‘Singur will resonate in India’s global image’

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‘Singur will resonate in India’s global image’

Special Correspondent

‘Nano is important and must be on the roads on time’

KOLKATA: Not only West Bengal, the adverse impact of the continued violence and intimidation of the workforce of the Nano plant will resonate in India’s global image, according to Tarun Das, chief mentor, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). Top industry leaders on Friday voiced this fear as the situation at Singur showed little sign of let-up.

In a first such reaction from an automobile manufacturer, C. K. Birla, Chairman, Hindustan Motors, said that it was a prestigious project for West Bengal and India and it would be unfortunate if it was disrupted. Nano’s moving out would be a setback for not just West Bengal but the entire country, said Jamshyd N. Godrej, Chairman and Managing Director, Godrej & Boyce Manufacturing Co. For India, the ‘Nano’ is important and must be on the roads on time.

“The world deserves it and India deserves no less,” he said.

Pointing out that Singur could not be dismissed as a problem of a particular State, the CII statement said that the process of development and growth being held to ransom for short-sighted political mileage was unwarranted. Mr. Tarun Das said that the Nano project had caught the attention of the world and had showcased India’s potential as a small car manufacturing hub.

This view was echoed by Mr. Godrej and Mr. Birla, whose Ambassador car factory is very close to the Singur project site. They said that the project showcased India’s innovative abilities.

Mittal supports Tatas

Our New Delhi correspondent writes:

After Reliance Industries Chairman, Mukesh Ambani coming out in support of the Tatas’ Singur project to manufacture small car Nano, Sunil Bharti Mittal, Chairman and group CEO of Bharti Airtel, on Friday called for an immediate political dialogue to find a solution to the present issue warning that creating such an atmosphere could lead to wave of industrialisation suffering.

Very unfortunate, says Venu Srinivasan

Chennai bureau adds:

“Industrialisation is imperative for the progress of our 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. From that point of view, the importance of this project cannot be overemphasised. West Bengal, under the stewardship of Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee is seeing an industrial resurgence. At this juncture this controversy, which is effectively stalling an iconic project like the Nano, is very unfortunate,” said Venu Srinivasan, Managing Director, Sundaram Clayton.

Tata’s have been the foremost group in industrialising with a human face. We have in Ratan Tata one of the most socially conscious business leaders of our times. Their record of caring for all stakeholders in general and the community in particular is unparalleled.

Considering the national importance of this project, it would be unfortunate if political considerations, come in the way of India’s progress, added Mr. Srinivasan.

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