Tata keeps mum on Singur issue

NEW DELHI: With no end to the current stalemate in sight on the situation in Singur, Tata Group chairman Ratan N Tata refused to comment on the situation. ���The Singur question is not because of me,��� Mr Tata said at the 48th SIAM Annual Convention 2008 in Delhi on Thursday. ���It���s not appropriate for me to respond on the sensitive issue. We are a company who want to launch the product as per our plan. We will try to do everything possible to launch the Nano as planned.���

Mr Tata was part of the SIAM delegation that met the prime minister on Thursday. According to a source present, it was a courtesy call and Singur was not discussed. Mr Tata evaded questions over rollout of the Nano from Singur or any alternative location. When asked if customers would be able to buy the Nano by October, Mr Tata said: ���The question needs to be asked not to me, but to others.��� He, however, pointed out that the company is facing cost pressures but refused to say anything on the price point.

During the panel discussion on small cars, Mr Tata said the global market is driving towards smaller cars. ���There was a market for an ultra-low cost car and we developed that keeping in mind the mobility needs of the people. There has been a big vacuum in the lower-end of the market and our small car (Nano) may cater to that segment of the population that may have it as their first car ever,��� he said.