Tatas see red, not to start work at Singur

KOLKATA: TATA Motors is not exactly happy with the consensus reached between the State Government and Mamata Banerjee over Singur on Sunday night.

The company made known its reaction in a written statement on Monday saying the consensus has left many things unanswered. “Tata Motors Limited is distressed at the limited clarity on the outcome of the discussions between the West Bengal Government and the representatives of the agitators in Singur. In view of the same, Tata Motors is obliged to continue the suspension of construction and commissioning work at the Nano plant,” the statement said raising fears that the cheapest car in the world may not finally roll out of Singur. The company stated that they will review their “stated position” only if the company was satisfied that the viability of the project was not being “impinged, the integral nature of the mother plant and our ancillary units are being maintained and the stakeholders are committed to develop a long term congenial environment for smooth operation of the plant at Singur”. The company is reported to be sending a letter to Chief Minister Budhhadeb Bhattacharya in this regard. Sunday’s included providing the “maximum land” inside the project to the unwilling farmers and stoppage of all work in the area allotted for the vendors park while a four-member committee ascertains the scope and settlement of modalities for the land package. Meanwhile, Mamata told newspersons that she had only suspended her indefinite dharna and not withdrawn it. She threatened to begin the agitation afresh if the demands of the farmers as reflected in last night’s agreement was not met. Reacting to the Tata Motors statement that it would not resume construction work at the plant till there was clarity on the outcome of talks, Trinamool’s key negotiator Partha Chatterjee said it was in the interest of the car project and farmers that the investor should refrain from making any statement “which dampens the spirit under which negotiations have been concluded yesterday. It would be unfortunate if the Tatas dishonour the Government and the Opposition and also the expectation of the people by not respecting the initiative taken by the Governor of West Bengal and the agreement that was signed,” he said. State Industries Minister Nirupom Sen admitted that the Tata company has sent a letter regarding their reservation on the agreement. The State Government has also sent a reply allaying the company’s apprehension. The first meeting of the four-member committee consisting of two representatives each from the land agitators and the State Government set up for working out the land package will meet for the first time here on Tuesday.