Choose jobs or lawlessness: Ratan Tata

Kolkata, Oct 17: Ratan Tata, the Tata Group's chairman Ratan on Friday, Oct 17 in an open letter to the people of West Bengal, asked them to support the present government in building a prosperous state or see it being consumed by a destructive political environment.

In the letter, which appeared in some newspapers here, Tata said the people of West Bengal should decide whether they want education and jobs in the industrial and hi-tech sectors or 'want to stay as they are'. "The people of West Bengal, particularly the younger citizens, will need to express their views and aspirations as to what they would like to see West Bengal become in the years ahead," Tata said.

He further asked, "Would they like to support the present government of Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee to build a prosperous state with the rule of law, modern infrastructure and industrial growth, or would they like to see the state consumed by a destructive political environment of confrontation, agitation, violence and lawlessness?"

He also defended his decision to withdraw the Nano project from Singur, saying that it was not taken in haste.

Tata said he was compelled to write the letter to explain how his company's dream was shattered by an environment of 'politically motivated agitation and hostility that finally left us with no option but to withdraw the project from the state'.

"All through the two years we have been constructing the plant at Singur, this feeling of faith and confidence in the vision and objectives of the State Government has been reinforced," said Tata in his letter.

He said, two years ago the company had decided to locate the Nano project in West Bengal due to the tremendous faith and confidence they had, and still have, in the investment friendly policies' of the present government.

"Unfortunately, the confrontation by Trinamool Congress led by Mamata Banerjee and supported by vested interests and certain political parties, opposing the acquisition of land by the state government, have caused serious disruptions to the progress of the Nano plant," he said.

The controversy over the Tata factory has hurt the state's image as an investment destination.

The land row caused by violent protests led by Trinamool Congress over the acquisition of farmland by the West Bengal Government had forced Tata Motors to move out of the state and set up its ultra low-cost Nano car project in Gujarat.

ANI