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Talks over Tata Nano car deadlock | Talks over Tata Nano car deadlock |
(about 4 hours later) | |
Talks have been held in the eastern Indian city of Calcutta to try to end a dispute over the building of the world's cheapest car, the Tata Nano. | |
The state governor called meetings with government and opposition "fruitful". More negotiations are due on Saturday. | |
Tata Motors suspended work at the plant in West Bengal state on Tuesday after protests over the acquisition of land from farmers and opposition parties. | Tata Motors suspended work at the plant in West Bengal state on Tuesday after protests over the acquisition of land from farmers and opposition parties. |
The company has said it would consider relocating the car plant. | The company has said it would consider relocating the car plant. |
The conflict has already led to loss of life. | The conflict has already led to loss of life. |
A few hours after Tata announced its plans to suspend work at its car factory, a villager there allegedly committed suicide fearing loss of work for his sons. | A few hours after Tata announced its plans to suspend work at its car factory, a villager there allegedly committed suicide fearing loss of work for his sons. |
And at least six small farmers had earlier killed themselves in Singur when their land was acquired for the Tata project. | |
Compensation | |
The BBC's Subir Bhaumik in Calcutta says Tata bosses are not taking part in the discussions, arguing the crisis is political and they have no role in it. | |
Exclusive look at the Tata Nano | Exclusive look at the Tata Nano |
After Friday's negotiations Governor Gopal Krishna Gandhi said: "The talks were fruitful and constructive - it helped both sides understand each other much better. We will meet for talks again on Saturday." | |
The leader of the opposition in the West Bengal assembly, Partho Chattopadhyay, also called the talks "fruitful". | |
"But we cannot talk of a solution now. We need more discussions." | |
The state government said it had made several proposals and was waiting for the opposition to respond. | |
Opposition supporters have been protesting for a fortnight at the Tata plant in Singur - some 50km (31 miles) north of Calcutta - demanding that 400 acres of requisitioned land be returned to local farmers. | |
The communist-led state government says that is not going to happen. | |
Over the last few days there have been protests in Calcutta in support of the Tatas. | Over the last few days there have been protests in Calcutta in support of the Tatas. |
The West Bengal business community fears that if Tata leaves, few will want to invest in the state, which is one of India's poorest. | The West Bengal business community fears that if Tata leaves, few will want to invest in the state, which is one of India's poorest. |
Tata Motors chairman Rata Tata said on Thursday that the company was doing everything possible to launch the Nano on time but it all depended on what happened in Singur. | Tata Motors chairman Rata Tata said on Thursday that the company was doing everything possible to launch the Nano on time but it all depended on what happened in Singur. |
He had earlier indicated the car, expected to cost 100,000 Indian rupees ($2,500), would be launched in October. | |
Our correspondent says the state government - which acquired the land for Tata - appears to be ready to offer improved compensation to the farmers. | |
If that offer is turned down, the world's cheapest car may have to be built somewhere else. | If that offer is turned down, the world's cheapest car may have to be built somewhere else. |