Past Presidents of Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers today urged all involved to resolve the current impasse and letthe Tata Project move forward.

Mr Jagdish Khattar, Past President SIAM and MD, Carnation Auto India Ltd and Ex-MD of Maruti said – “the Nano Project aids to enable the fulfilment of 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. The project is an integral part of the investment envisaged under the AMP and if anything happens to thisit may not be able to reach out to the goal of AMP.”

Mr Brijmohan Lall, Past President, SIAM & Chairman, Hero Honda Motors Ltd joins the industry leaders and says “The leadership demonstrated byMr Ratan Tata on the Singur issue is commendable. His determination to go ahead with the Nano Project this far reflects his deep commitment to theState 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 Tata sare forced to pull out. All Political Parties need to come together to ensure that this project happens.”

Mr Abhay Firodia, Past President, SIAM & CMD, Force Motors said that “automobile industry is the engine of growth for any economy. All over the world, countries have developed on the back of automobile industry. Nano is a huge opportunity for West Bengal due to its deep forward and backward linkages. People should understand the importance of the project and resolve the dispute at the earliest.”

Mr C V Kartiknarayanan,Past President, SIAM & CMD, Ucal Products said “Component Manufacturers have great stake in the project. The project is good for West Bengal and the country. The Nano project has served to bring about innovation and new practices in many component manufacturing companies. Already it is a challenge for the Tatas to bring out the product as scheduled and any further delay would impact many component suppliers and also the workers in the factory”

Mr R Seshasayee, Past President SIAM & MD, Ashok Leyland feels that –“The Nano is certainly a flagship project and withdrawal of this project would adversely affect not only the image of thestate but also the country. It is imperative that all Political Parties come together now and arrive at a solution. It is critical to distance this discussion from the factory side so that normalcy can be restored immediately.”

Earlier reacting to the situation Mr Venu Srinivasan, Past President,SIAM & CMD, TVS Motor Company had said that “Considering national importance of this project, it would be unfortunate of political considerations come in the way of India’s progress”. Mr Rahul Bajaj, Past President, SIAM and Chairman, Bajaj Auto Ltd also had expressed dismay saying that – “The impasse created in Singur is extremely unfortunate, not only for the Nano project but also for the industrial development of Bengal. This project must come up at Singur.I have always said that farmers whose land has been acquired by the government in public interest must receive adequate and fair compensation. Return of300-400 acres of land which are spread all over the Tataland, is, I understand impossible. Hence I plead to Mamtaji to give up her insistence on the return of the land to the farmers and accept on behalf of the farmers an alternate piece of equivalent size of fertile landand an increase in the monetary compensation which has been offered.”

SIAM is an apex national body representing leading vehicle and vehicular engine manufacturers. It addresses issues relevant to the sustainable development of the industry and endeavors to be a catalyst towards creating an internationally competitive automobile industry.

Courtesy: Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers

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Posted by Naresh Koshti on 2 September, 2008 11:12:52 AM IST #