Inability to set up a small-car factory in Singur still evokes a sense of sadness in Ratan Tata, the outgoing Chairman of the Tata Group.
“Singur brings about no sense of anger. Just a sense of sadness that we couldn’t do anything here,” he told shareholders at the 49th Annual General Meeting of Tata Global Beverages Ltd here on Friday.
Tata Motors had planned to roll out its small-car Nano from Singur in Hooghly district of West Bengal. Following intense protests, Tatas shifted to Sanand in Gujarat. Soon after it came to power in the State in 2011, the Trinamool Congress issued notices to ‘evict’ Tata Motors and reclaim 999 acres on which the factory was proposed.
Tatas then moved the Calcutta High Court against the eviction notice. A Division Bench struck down the law based on which the West Bengal Government had evicted the Tatas. The matter is now pending before the Supreme Court.
“It (Singur case) is sub-judice and whatever the outcome, I think we will respect the law and wishes of the Bengal Government,” Ratan Tata added.
According to him, there was a possibility of Tata Motors having a unit elsewhere in Bengal. “Who knows, we may have a Tata Motors factory somewhere in Bengal. And hopefully be welcomed then.”
On continuing the company’s involvement in West Bengal, Ratan Tata hoped that things at the political level “will be more-friendly”.
“Many shareholders have asked us about our involvement in Bengal. Let me tell you, I have a personal affinity towards this place. That is why we tried to bring in a car manufacturing facility here.”
Maintaining that there was no prejudice or bias in his mind over investing in Bengal, Ratan Tata said: “But I believe one day when the environment at a political level will be more-friendly (towards us), like it is at the people level, we will be here. It is a part of India. There is no bias or prejudice as such.”