Tata Motors will have a plant in Bengal some day says Ratan Tata

The noble conglomerate has no bitterness with West Bengal even after so much drama in Singur. Tata Group Chairman Ratan Tata on Friday said some day Tata Motors will have a plant somewhere in West Bengal and clarified his intentions of not leaving the state.

"Several persons have asked about Singur. I think it doesn't bring any sense of anger to me, just a sense of sadness that we couldn't do something here," Tata told shareholders at the annual general meeting of Tata Global Beverages here.

"It (Singur case) is sub-judice today and whatever the outcome is, I think we will respect the law and wishes of the Bengal government," he said.

Tata, who is to retire this December when he turns 75, said, "May be one day you will have a Tata Motors factory somewhere in Bengal and hopefully be welcomed."

Earlier, the automobile giant had planned to set up a manufacturing plant for small car Nano in Singur of Hooghly district in West Bengal but had to shift the plant to Sanand in Gujarat following an intense political protest headed by opposition Trinamool Congress demanding the return of 400 acres of land taken forcibly from the farmers by the then Left Front government.

Replying to some shareholders query about continuing business in West Bengal, Tata said: "We will be here because this is a part of India and we are considered to be an Indian group, in which we have no difference or bias. So both the group and I personally, have no intension about walking away from West Bengal."

Tata became emotional on Friday while replying to the shareholders and thanked them for their sentiments, warmth and support.

"This has been an equally emotional meeting for me. I think the warmth, the sincerity and the affection that has been displayed... something I will be carrying back with me through the remaining life of me... I am an emotional person. And I will not forget which you have meant to me in the years that I have needed," he said.

-With inputs from IANS