India Inc appeals to West Bengal opposition to end Singur agitatio

New Delhi, Aug 30 (UNI) Former presidents of the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) today appealed to the West Bengal opposition to end the ongoing agitation at the Tata small car plant in Singur.

Former Managing Director of Maruti Ltd Jagdish Khattar pointed out that Tata Motors' Nano project in Singur was in line with the aims of the common minimum programme.

''For every additional car that rolls out of the factory, five jobs would be created. Also, the presence of the project in Singur would not only lead to development of the state but would also produce a new demand centre for local produce and agricultural products,'' Mr Khattar said in a statement.

Describing the Singur impasse as ''extremely unfortunate'', parliamentarian Rahul Bajaj said, ''return of 300-400 acres, which are spread all over the Tata land, is I understand impossible.'' ''Hence, I plead to Mamataji (Mamata Banerjee) to give up her insistence on the return of the land to the farmers and accept on behalf of the farmers an alternative piece of equivalent size of fertile land and an increase in the monetary compensation, which has been offered,'' he added.

TVS Motor Company CMD Venu Srinivasan said considering the national importance of this project, it would be unfortunate that political considerations are coming in the way of India's progress.

Hero Honda Motors Chairman Brijmohan Lall praised the role of Tata Group Chairman Ratan Tata, stating that his ''determination to go ahead with the Nano Project this far reflects his deep commitment to the state of West Bengal and more importantly demonstrates his resolve to keep a promise''.

''It would be really unfortunate if circumstances continue in this manner and the Tatas are forced to pull out. All political parties need to come together to ensure that this project happens,'' he added.

The agitation, which was started last week by the Trinamool Congress-backed Krishijami Jiban Jibika Raksha Committee against takeover of farmland for the car project at Singur, is still continuing.

Ratan Tata had said, on August 21, if the stalemate did not improve over Singur land acquisition, the company might pull out of the state.

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