Tata moves Nano to Gujarat
Narender Modi shakes hands with Ratan Tata on signing deal
The long drama of Tata Nano may be getting over. Tata Nano will move to Gujarat.
Narender Modi and Tata officials have signed the agreement and they were shown exchanging documents. Fortunately for both, the farmers in Gujarat are in more than a welcoming mood for Tata to come to their hinterland.
Farmer-turned-industrialist Ravubha Vaghela was a very happy man on Monday after selling his entire 30 acres of land at Khoda and Naranpura villages to Gujarat government.
Despite the fact that he had earmarked it for expanding his own company Raviraj Foils Ltd, he gave it off to the State Government at less than half the going price!!
Vaghela says he sold the land for Rs 15 crore at Rs 1,000 per square metre , despite the going market rate of Rs 2,500 per sq mt.
Vaghela says he could have haggled for a better price or even gone to court. “But this would have delayed the process and Nano plant could have gone out of Gujarat’s hands. I was glad to make the sacrifice. For Tata project I could have given my land for free. I am a proud Rajput today that I will be instrumental in bringing Nano project to Gujarat,” said Vaghela, who feels it’s time for him to repay a debt to Tatas.
“During the great famine of 1900 Jamshetji Tata rescued the Kankrej cows being bred at the farm by making a donation of Rs 1,000,” he explains, adding that his move symbolises the difference in the outlook of farmers in Gujarat and West Bengal.
Seems like Tata Nano may finally see the light of the day!
The time it took for Gujarat to get the clearances and put together a package for Tatas surprised them and helped them make their decision.
Tata Motors MD Ravi Kant said it took Gujarat just 10 days to tie up all the loose ends — make the land ready for possession, get all clearances and approvals and offer a final deal. Tata said his company decided to take up the offer "late last evening", and he was here the next day to sign an MoU with the state government.
It also prompted Ratan Tata to make a very RARE political statement for a senior businessman (and a Parsi) like him!
There is a bad M and a good M and we have made the transition
.... he said in an obvious reference to Mamata and Modi.
But it just wasnt the speed, Gujarat actually gave a MUCH better deal for them as well - which showed the the willingness of Gujarat's executive team to do "whatever it takes" to bring a "game-changing" industry player into their own midst! Everyone knows that car plants actually lead to far more smaller industries than just that plant! It leads to smaller suppliers who try to locate themselves near by and also adds to more employment. THAT is what Modi's team may have looked at as well!
