Tarun Reflex

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

After Tatas, Infosys may also rethink on West Bengal plans

Amid Tatas continuing to suspend work at their Nano plant in Singur, IT major Infosys on Monday said it is watching the developments closely and will reconsider its plans in West Bengal if needed.

Infosys’s views followed Tata Motors’ announcement earlier in the day that they would keep work suspended at the Nano plant as they were “distressed” at the limited clarity on the outcome of talks between the state and agitators to end the protest disrupting the low-cost car project.

Reacting to the developments, Infosys’ board member and human resources chief Mohandas Pai said, “Singur has created a fear in the minds of India Inc. We are watching the development very closely.”

“We have neither pulled out nor planning to. We will rethink and reconsider the situation if need be,” he added.

Earlier in the day, a private TV channel reported that Infosys was having a rethink over its plans in the state in the wake of Singur controversy.

“Singur has happened and we have seen what the impact is. It is very sad what has happened in West Bengal… People are scared, employees are scared… It is causing a rethink at this point of time, as is for all companies in India,” channel quoted Pai as saying.

He said fear element was high in the state and anyone not agreeing with the government could create a problem.

“We have seen what is happening there and obviously there is a fear psychosis. We are watching and waiting to see what will happen finally,” Pai said, adding, “it will take some time for anybody to come to a conclusion.”

Tata Motors on Monday sought to know from West Bengal the actual position concerned over Trinamool leaders’ claim that land would be given back from inside the main project site.

However, the government ruled out any change related to plant of Tata Motors or other vendors.

Blog at WordPress.com.