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"This is an extremely momentous and happy day for us because we have been through a rather sad experience from a small quarter of residents of West Bengal despite the state government's efforts," Tata Group Chief Ratan Tata said at a joint press conference with Cheif Minister Narendra Modi.
The MoU was signed by Tata Motors Managing Director Ravi Kant and Industrial Secretary Gouri Kumar
Praising Modi for speedy allocation of about 1,100 acres of centrally located land, Tata said the company had a great deal of urgency in having a new location and was driven by the reputation of the state.
"The site in Gujarat, already under the possession of the state government, will help Tata Motors establish a new dedicated mother plant with the shortest possible time lag and least possible increment project cost," he said.
Together with Tata Motors, about 60 vendors would also move to the new location.
Asked about the over-all deal offered by the Gujarat government, Tata said, "it is as good as or slightly better than the one we had previously (in West Bengal)."
Gujarat was one of many states in the race for Nano car manufacturing facility. Welcoming Tatas, the Chief Minister said, "Tatas and Gujarat have started a new chapter of partnership which will give a new direction and dimension to the state.”
"After the Nano car project, Gujarat will make an important place in surface transport."
To begin with, Tata Motors would produce 2.5-3 lakh cars annually and the capaicty is expandable up to five lakh cars per annum, Tata said.
When asked about the timing of launching Nano, Tata said, "It will be our endeavour to be close to the timeline so that we can keep our promise."
He, however, did not specify any timeline and said the company would make an announcement in this regard later.
"Building this plant in Gujarat will take some time and we have some make-shift plan to introduce Nano in the market in the interim month while the plant is being built," he said.
A company statement said it would explore the possibility of manufacturing Nano at its existing facilities in Pune and Pantnagar and would launch the car in the last quarter (Jan-March) of the current financial year.
Meanwhile, reports from Uttarakhand said 'limited production' of the world's cheapest car will take place in Pantnagar.
"Tata Motors officials have conveyed to the state government that limited production of Nano will be held in Pantnagar despite their decision to take the mother plant to Gujarat," said Uttarakhand media advisory committee Chairman Devendra Bhasin quoting Chief Minister B C Khanduri.
Tata Motors also plans to have CNG, electric and exports variants manufactured at the mother plant in Sanand, Tata said.
Talking about the size of investment, company's Managing Director Ravi Kant said it would be about Rs 2,000 crore.
"There will be some more things that we are talking about. We expect more number of vendors to come here. The size of the plant would be much bigger than what we had planned for West Bengal," he added.
As per the agreement, Tatas would also undertake a number of initiatives for human resource development in the state, including setting up of ITIs.
When asked about the loss incurred due to pulling out of West Bengal, Tata said, "We would be retrieving most of our costs out of Singur and I don't believe that there will be a need to have any appreciable loss reflected in our financials in the current year."
"The cost of moving out would be the cost of dismantling and the cost of moving to a new location," he said.
According to the agreement, the homegrown auto major would purchase land from the Gujarat government at current market prices.
Last week, Tata Motors withdrew its Rs one-lakh Nano car project from West Bengal, with a disappointed Ratan Tata blaming the Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee for the ‘unfortunate and painful’ decision.
Hitting out at Mamata, Tata had said, ‘agitation by the Opposition party has been the sole reason for this decision. How can we go into production when people are saying that we will continue agitation. I think Banerjee pulled the trigger".
Retaliating, Banerjee had said it was a ‘joint game plan’ by the Tatas and the state government during Durga Puja festival.
Tatas had evacuated entire work force from Singur, complaining intimidation and violence from the agitators who had cordoned of the entire area since August to prevent progress on the project.
In the auto space, Gujarat so far has a General Motors plant in Halol, Bombardier's bus body making facility and Asia Motor Works' truck manufacturing unit at Bhuj.
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Mr Ratan you have brought shame on the name of the Tata's by calling Modi a good man. Generations to come will not forgive you for your statement. You have sullied the brand which your ancestors build with such care. How come you call a man good who over saw the death of so many innocent lives. For Ratan does only business matters and not human life. Why did you forefathers build all those great institutions, so that one day you can call a murderer a good man.Who told only politicians are bad in this country. Today this actions of Ratan Tata has not only sullies the image of the Tata group but also the likes of Godrej and others who oppesed the Modi when he addressed them.This act of Ratan Tata has denigrated the Tata Institution for ever. I think the Tata group chooses another leader. Because this man has started putting money over morality.My advice to the Tata Group time has come to say Good Bye to Ratan Tata.
Congrats to Gujarat State as a whole. Those who work hard, get to play better as well. naach Gujarat naach, chalo daandiya !
its happend only in gujarat, only oneman can do it gujarat!s SINH modidada.he did it . now world will tase of gujarati nano. yes obviously it is great day for gujarat . we heartly thanks to modidada
Ratan tata has done the wisest thing in life by moving to Gujarath under modi.though i,m from karnataka and feel the loss for Karnataka,yet i feel he has done the right thing.mamatha has destroyed the future of West Bengal.
Victory for Modi and Gujarath! Victory for NANO too, as no more strikes like in WB. By the way I am from Punjab
We all should prefer a “non-secular” person like Narendra Modi who works for his state and the country than those pseudo-secular “leaders” like Mamata Banerjee and Congress party who only hurt the state they live, the country they rule. The credit for Gujarat getting Nano goes to traitor Mamata Banerjee. I hope communists in Bengal and highly immature, mad leaders like Mamata Banerjee will spare the state and save not only the state of Bengal but the whole country. I am sure that Mamata Banerjee’s lone seat in Loksabha will not be there after the election and her political career will be as good as gone. Congress party will also loose in a great way in Bengal for betraying the state and its people by tactically supporting Mamata’s violent agitation against Nano in Singur.
What a disgrace!!! Ratan Tata has sullied the good name of India, not to mention JRD's legacy!For everyone celebrating, I would like to remind them that the decision was Ratan Tata's not modi's. I would also like to remind them that what goes up, always comes down.
Thanks to Mamta and her allies inside
In the whole Nano episode, as a responsible national government, MMS has not done anything for the survival for the most Innovative Indian project of century. As per the interview given by Mr Ratan Tata today, Congress covertly supported Mamata's agitation. MMS is not bothered about India's progress, he is a real Hypocrat
Hats off to Mr Narendra Modi for pulling off this coup.Though I am from karnataka
Conratulations to all Gujaratis for choosing Modi as their leader.This is a jor ka thappad on the face of commies and secularists like Congies!Wish we had more Modis in India.My vote for Modi as the next PM of India.
I think the people of Gujarat must thank somebody whose contribution to this achievement is far greater than that of Mr. Narendra Modi. That person is Ms. Mamta Banerjee. Who would have ever thought that Bengal would lose this project afte the Tatas had invested so much money already and progressed well for almost a year on their construction activities. Only Ms Mamta Banerjee and her Trinamool Congress could have done it. How about Ms Mamta Banerjee for CM of Gujarat in the next election - Any takers?
Modi is King !!!!!!!!!!!! He has made Gujarat a BRAND. I dont understand how business man can even think of going to West Bengal
At last the Nano found a home,not a foster one or a hostile unfriendly one(hope medha Patkars will not find some crew to ighten it).The flight of Tatas from Bengal and the nonchalance of the rest of the Industrialists indicate one thing-House of Tataseven though one of the oldest in the country has not learnt the industry fundamentals.i.e,how to pay off the NGOs and Politicos to keep them happy and at bay.
The only contribution by the communists to the country is bundhs, hartals and strikes. They could not even retain a completed project by the TATA's.
Congratulations to the entire team that pushed Gujarat to the finish line. Tomorrow's generations will applaud.Garvi Gujarat!(Disclaimer: Dont agree with several Modi policies / actions)
Great day for Gujarat. Many congrats to Modi Sir. This is a real slap on the face of Congress in Gujarat. Congress never missed a small chance to prove Modiji and his govt. as failure, rather than being responsible opponents. But fact remains fact always, and nobody can avoid this. I am proud to be Gujarati and hats off to Mr. Modi. India needs only 5 visionary like Modiji, and the whole world will see the power of INDIA.
Mr.Modi once again has prooved to be an excellant strategist,dynamic in leadership and astute in political decision making.We need leaders like Modi to lead this country replacing the non performing,chacha ManmohanSingh.We need not make much noices to get things done like the Lalu,Paswan and off course the Dalal master Amar Singh.Mr.Modi has prroved how a silent leader leads rather pushing a hoard of followers from behind.Definitely Mr.Modi is the right choice to be our future PM.But our medias will paint Modi as a villian only and with every effort by the western controlled medias and missionaries controlled NDTV or Hindu ,our Hero Modi is only consolidating his position.Let the Dogs bark it is not going to take wawy the shine of the moon.Mr.Modi please continue with your good work and the day is not far off when all these dogs brking and calling for your scalpel will be at your feet begging for favours
well done MrModi
Narmada, Nano or Terrorism, Modi's Administration has always made a difference. Gujarat will suit TATA's as they dont allow any kind of Corruption and Modi too dont allow any kind of corruption.
Congratulations to all Gujaratis and our Respectable CM. We are proud of our Farmers and citizens and thanks to Shri Ratan Tata. Mindset of our Govt and citizens makes the difference for the development of state.
It is the CPI(M)'s goondaraj, who lose the battle against the peace loving Gujarat. So called Defandant of Secularism are the real culprit. They have made the defination of Secularism. Now they will define the development in their word.
Modi has proved that he is the real man of action, nor mere empty words from the so called "secular" leaders. It is a real slap on their face, esp. the CPM idiots. Tata should have pulled out way back and not wait for the dirty politics. All Indians whether in India or abroad are proud of Tatas as a brand name. In some way or the other Tatas are a part of each Indian's daily life. Keep it up. All the seculars please shut up and go and lick Modi's feet.
About time....I dont know why anyone would want to invets in West Bengal....Gujarat and Maharashtra are the two states that make India great...the rest only make demands.......It seems people like mamta banerjee want to return Indi aback to a caveman level of existence.
We can see the difference between a creaking, rusted communist Government in West Bengal and dynamic Gujarat Government.