After Mukesh Ambani and Rahul Bajaj, prominent industry captains from across different sectors of the industry are voicing their concern against the political turmoil that has marred the fate of Nano project ? Tata?s dream venture. The common thread: First, the Nano belongs to India, and its displacement from West Bengal would hurt not just the state but the country. Second, politics must be kept out of the project?s fate.
Jamshyd N Godrej, CMD of Godrej & Boyce, said Nano is a statement of the coming of age of Indian manufacturing, and places ?India?s innovation skills high up on the world map?.
?It is, therefore, very unfortunate that the entire project is facing a political situation which it does not warrant,? Godrej said. Nano?s moving out would be a setback for not just West Bengal but the entire country, he said.
?The political parties involved must do their best to ensure that the concerns and issues of all the stakeholders are kept in mind, including the companies in question and the original owners of the land,? he added. He said Nano was important for India and must be on the roads on time. ?The world deserves it and India deserves no less,? he said.
CK Birla, whose Hindustan Motors was India?s first car manufacturer and the only one in West Bengal, said, ?Tata?s Nano project is a prestigious project for India and for the state of West Bengal.?
?It showcases India?s manufacturing and innovative abilities. The plant to be functional in West Bengal reinforces the state?s commitment towards industrial resurgence,? Birla said, adding it would be unfortunate if ?issues other than economic and social? come into play and force the Tatas to consider pulling out from Singur.
?The Tatas have bench marked Corporate Social Responsibility in India and I am sure they will be extending the same norms at Singur as well,? said Birla, whose factory manufacturing the iconic Ambassador is in the same district.
Gautam Thapar, chairman & CEO of Avantha Group, which includes paper major BILT and Crompton Greaves, termed the controversy surrounding the Nano project ?unfortunate?. ?That India?s leading corporate group, Tatas, with its exemplary record in social consciousness and stakeholder care, has been caught up in an unseemingly political pull and push is unfortunate,? Thapar said.
Stating the Nano project has put India?s manufacturing capabilities on the world map, Thapar said a pullout at this stage would be very unfortunate, and would severely tarnish India?s image as an investment destination. ?A constructive approach is required, and all efforts must be made to ensure that the project implementation goes forward.?
Sunil Bharti Mittal, chairman and CEO, Bharti, feels that it would be unfortunate for India if the Tatas pull out of West Bengal. ?Nano is seen as a world car and has drawn international acclaim. Consequently, immediate political dialogue to find a solution towards keeping the project in West Bengal is imperative,? he said, adding that 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. ?Industralisation is imperative for the progress of our country and its development and every effort at greater industrialization and employment generation has to be welcomed. From that point of view the importance of this project cannot be overemphasised. At this juncture this controversy, which is effectively stalling an iconic project like the Nano, is very unfortunate,? added Venu Srinivasan, MD, Sundaram Clayton.
Venu Srinivasan, vice- president, CII, said that the Tatas stand for industralisation 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,? he said.