Talks are underway in India aimed at ending local protests at an under-construction factory earmarked to make the Tata Nano. The protests this week caused Tata to ‘indefinitely suspend’ construction work at the plant in the Indian state of West Bengal.
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The West Bengal governor has been meeting farmers and opposition party members who oppose the plant and have been vigorously protesting its construction, allegedly creating an intimidatory and hostile environment for construction contractors at the site.
The protests and demonstrations have been led by the local opposition Trinamool Congress Party and led to Tata Motors suspending work at the plant this week. Tata said it was now investigating alternative sites for the Nano.
West Bengal governor Gopalkrishna Gandhi has also met state officials in a bid to broker a settlement, setting the stage for a possible tri-partite meeting on Friday, Reuters reported.
Trinamool chief Mamata Banerjee has softened her stand this week and said on Wednesday a solution could emerge soon, in comments echoed by the state governor.
“I am hopeful about a solution in the talks set for Friday because both the West Bengal chief minister and Mamata Banerjee are sincere in their efforts to end the stalemate,” Gandhi reportedly said.
Gandhi has also reportedly invited Tata Motors to join Friday’s talks.
