Tatas to consider West Bengal on investment merit: Cyrus Mistry

KOLKATA: Tata Sons Chairman Cyrus Mistry today said the group had nothing against West Bengal in terms of investment and would rather encourage its companies to scout for business opportunities in the state.

Replying to shareholders' questions, Mistry said, "I think most Tata companies will look at Bengal and other geographical areas on 'merit'. Nothing stops them (group companies) from looking and we actually promote them."

Mistry said that it was wrong to say that "we are not investing in Bengal".

"TCS is investing in a new campus," he informed shareholders, affirming that it was only a perception among people that Tatas were not keen on the state.

Mistry, however, chose not to comment on the Singur issue, when shareholders asked him about the Tata Group's outlook towards Bengal.

He also did not reply to a shareholder's request that the group should consider investing at least Rs 2000-3000 crore in Bengal out of Rs 2.10 lakh crore lined up for investment in the next three years, according to reports in 2014.

There is no plan for coffee chain Starbucks to open a outlet in Kolkata as of now. Starbucks outlets are present in Mumbai, Pune, Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai and Hyderabad.