Ratan Tata threatens to pull out of West Bengal

CHARACTER CONCERN: Ratan Tata said he hoped WB doesn't get characterised as a trouble spot in India.

    

J & K | Chhattisgarh | Delhi | MP |
Mizoram | Rajasthan

Featured Blog

Rajdeep Sardesai

26/11: Terror comes precariously close

Featured Slideshows

New Delhi: Even as the agitation in Singur is set to intensify, TATA Motors has assured the West Bengal government they would not be pulling out of the project unless forced to do so.

West Bengal Industries Minister, Nirupam Sen is meeting industrialists on the issue, even as Trinamool Congress leader, Mamata Banerjee is planning a rally at the project site.

"He (Ratan Tata) has invested a lot in this project. It is not his intention to pull out until he is forced to do so by the circumstances. He has said earlier that it is the people of West Bengal who have to take the call," Sen said.

TATA Motors Chairman, Ratan Tata met Nirupam Sen on Thursday night and expressed his anxiety over the continuing agitations.

"We are deeply concerned about the people of Bengal. It's for the people of Bengal to decide whether we are going to be an unwanted citizen or a resposible corporate. If it is the latter then we will be happy. If not, then we would have to just pursue our plans regardless," Ratan Tata said.

However, he was quick to add: "If people say that that we will protect our investments irrepsective of anything then they are wrong. I will not bring in my employees to Singur if there is threat of them being beaten up. TATA will do whatever necessary to protect its employees."

"I want to understand why the TATA group is unwanted in West Bengal. There is a definite concern of not being where we're wanted and where people are suspicious of us. If there is this feeling among the people, then we will exit the state," Ratan Tata said.

"We have plans to launch Nano by October this year, but many people don't want that to happen and it's very easy for them to prevent it from happening, but I have made a major investement here. To move from here will be at a great cost not only for the TATA Group but also for West Bengal," he added.

Ratan Tata also said that he hoped West Bengal doesn't get characterised as a trouble spot in India.