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Deadlock Remains at Tata Automobile PlantState Government Intervenes in Attempt to Start Car Production
Work is still suspended at the main production site of the Tata Nano as the West Bengal government tries to come to an understanding with agitating farmers and labourers.
Tata unveiled the “cheapest car in the world” (priced at around $2500) back in January and the factory at Singur (40km north of Kolkata) was due to produce the model, set to be available for purchase by October this year. However, production has been severely hampered by agitating farmers and labourers whose land the factory complex was to be built on. Trinamol Opposing Singur PlantThe Trinamol Congress is championing the cause of the displaced farmers and under its chief Mamata Banerjee is campaigning for the return of some four hundred acres of land to “unwilling” farmers who were not satisfied with the original deal made with Tata and the state government. According to Banerjee the movement is strictly non-violent, and follows the basic satyagraha principals laid down by Mahatma Gandhi in the early twentieth century. However, there have been reports of the roughing up of Tata employees attempting to leave or enter the plant. Banerjee dismisses the accusations, claiming that the Trinamol cannot take responsibility for all of the groups fighting the issue. The involvement of hard-line anti-state Naxalite cadres in the movement cannot be overlooked, and has the potential to become a huge problem for the government. Tata Threatens to RelocateThe latest round of agitation began in late August when farmers staged a sit in outside the Nano plant and refused to allow the six hundred or so Tata employees inside to leave. Work at the factory was repeatedly disrupted and on September 2nd chairman Ratan Tata said his company was “evaluating alternative options for manufacturing the Nano car at other company facilities” according to Frontline magazine. Some employees have been moved to plants in Pune and Patnagar, where manufacturing is on target to meet the release deadline of October. Government Intervenes - Wants Development in West Bengal The West Bengal government has been anxious for the project to go ahead, and has stepped in to make an improved offer to those made landless by the building of the factory. Chief Minister, Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee has held numerous meetings with the Trinamol Congress and has also tried to work with Tata in an effort to keep the factory in West Bengal. He recently told the Times of India :”If the Tatas leave Bengal, it will malign the state’s image. I cannot allow that to happen”. The Calcutta Telegraph reported that the government is now willing to offer displaced farmers preferential status for job applications to the Singur plant and a fifty percent cash increase for their land. A further ten percent cash bonus will be added if farmers agree to give over their land and collect payment cheques by September 22nd. After decades of decline, both Kolkata and much of the rest of West Bengal have enjoyed increased investment from within India and abroad. The Singur plant enjoys support from other Indian industrialists and big businesses - many automobile manufacturers abroad are watching to see if Tata can pull off “the cheapest car in the world”, and a success would have a huge impact on the standing of Indian businesses and companies in the world market.
The copyright of the article Deadlock Remains at Tata Automobile Plant in India is owned by Ross Adkin. Permission to republish Deadlock Remains at Tata Automobile Plant in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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