Maruti Suzuki India (MSI) on Tuesday said it is committed to continue normal operations in Haryana and will not prune any of its planned investment in the state although the Manesar plant would function under security cover for the time being because of the unprecedented violence the plant experienced last month.
India’s largest car maker, MSI plans to invest `2,600 crore to set up a new diesel engine plant and expand capacities and research and development activities in Haryana by 2014. It is also expected to invest `4,000 crore in Gujarat for a new car manufacturing plant.
Addressing shareholders at MSI’s 31st Annual General Meeting, that commenced after a minute’s silence in memory of slain General Manager (Human Resources) Awanish Kumar Dev, MSI Chairman R C Bhargava said that security cover at Manesar plant will continue till its staff feel secure.
Bhargava also informed the shareholders that Osamu Suzuki, chairman of Maruti Suzuki Corporation, the Japanese parent of MSI, during his recent visit to India had called on Haryana Chief Minister, Bhupinder Singh Hooda, and requested him to ascertain the real cause of violence at the Manesar plant.
“The Haryana Chief Minister has promised to do so,” Bhargava added.
“Suzuki is supportive of Maruti and we will continue operations in Manesar. There will be no cut back in planned investments,” Bhargava told shareholders.
Meanwhile, the attendance at Manesar plant is gradually increasing with a total of 696 workers reporting for duty on Tuesday after the unit was reopened last week.
According to sources, 314 workers had reported till Saturday and 382 more joined on Tuesday when Suzuki Motor Corp’s Chairman Osamu Suzuki visited the plant.
On restoration of normal productions at the violence-hit plant, Bhargava said MSI is hopeful of doing so in a short period of time as the process of increasing worker strength is on.
Before the incident the total strength at the plant was around 3,300. Of these 1,528 were permanent.