Ratan Tata acknowledges WB government's support for 'Tata Nano'

New Delhi, Jan 10 (UNI) Launching the much-awaited Rs one lakh Tata Nano, Tata Group Chairman Ratan Tata today appreciated the West Bengal government's support and said Tata's move to industrialise the eastern part of the country will lead to further investment in the region.

''The support we got from the West Bengal government during our difficult times has been of great help in making my dream come true. This will pave the way for further investments in the region,'' Mr Tata said while addressing the media at the launch of Tata Nano at the 9th Auto Expo here.

Tata Motors, the country's largest automobile manufacturer today launched the eagerly awaited 624cc (33 horse power) Rs one lakh car, Tata Nano.

''Since, promise is a promise the standard dealer version will cost Rs one lakh,'' said Mr Tata.

Despite the fact that the country's Eastern part is industrially backward, Tata Motors made a move to set up a manufacturing plant at Singur, although it was wooed by various other states, he said.

''It has been a leap of faith for us since it was a very unconventional step,'' Mr Tata said.

However, even as the Tata's unveiled their Rs one lakh car in Delhi, West Bengal's main opposition Trinamool Congress threatened to stall its manufacture at Singur plant.

Mr Tata maintained that the problems in Singur was not of its making and ''as a responsible company it hoped to improve the quality of life in the region.'' UNI SBA/PBB SR AS2051