Locals want jobs in Nano project

People of Sanand and neighbouring villages want employment in the Nano project which is being implemented on Sanand-Viramgam Highway, 30 km from here, after the Tata group decided to shift it from Singur.

They are amused by the fact that the Tata Motor Ltd (TML) is set to launch the car, often described as the world's cheapest car, in the market on Monday. But they wish that the government had not given exemption to TML from hiring 85 per cent local people, which is the policy of the state government.

However, with the launch of the much-awaited car, they hope that Sanand project will become functional soon and they will find some work either in the Nano project or in the auto component units which are likely to be set up adjacent to the plant.

"I read in paper that Nano will be launched on Monday. It's good to know this because eventually the car will be manufactured from Sanand," said Bhikhabhai Patel, a Sanand-based farmer. When asked whether people are hopeful of getting employment in the Nano project, Patel said that people are hopeful of getting employment but this may not be on large scale.

"I am sceptical of local people finding job in the dream car project because TML had already hired people in Singur who will be shifted here in Sanand," he said, adding that even the government has given exemption to TML from hiring local people. Another farmer, Devsibhai Koli, said, "We all are happy that the plant has come here but it's of no use to us if we don't get any benefits out of the project."

He said, "This is a backward area, so industry is welcome, but they should also provide employment to locals instead of bringing people from outside." Like Bhakhabhai and Devshibhai, many others echo the view and scepticism. "There were media reports that no local person will get work in the Tata car project. Now we want to request the government not to have such provision for other industrial projects which are likely to be set up here," said Natubhai Chauhan, who is also a farmer and runs a tea stall on the highway. He and others standing at the tea stall added that industry should be asked to recruit local people, which will lead to the overall development of the area.

Referring to the state government-passed GR (government resolution) regarding the sops offered to the Nano project, Chauhan said, "Despite giving massive incentives, in form of soft loan of over Rs9,000 crore and other benefits, Tatas have said that they would not hire locals. This is highly unfair and unjustified.

"We did not protest the way Singur did when the project came . But we will be disillusioned if our people don't get work in the project when it becomes functional," said Rajabhai Solanki, who lives in a neighbouring village.