Business
Not seeing improved severance package, Ford India’s Chennai workers protest

Around 2,200 workers of Ford India Pvt Ltd’s plant near here are on protest demanding better severance package as the company has decided to shut down the plant sometime next month, said a workers’ union leader.
The workers are also dejected at being left out, as Ford India’s Gujarat plant and its workers will be taken over by Tata Motors’ subsidiary Tata Passenger Electric Mobility.
“The Tamil Nadu government should step in and secure a decent severance compensation for the Ford India workers in the state,” a workers union leader, speaking on condition of anonymity, told IANS.
According to the union official, production of cars at the Maraimalainagar plant is scheduled only for ten days.
Currently, the plant rolls out EcoSport for the export market.
The management is sticking to its stand on the severance compensation package and is not willing to move ahead, the official added.
In September 2021, Ford India announced its decision to wind down vehicle assembly in Gujarat’s Sanand by the fourth quarter of 2021, and vehicle and engine manufacturing in Chennai by the second quarter of 2022.
Ford India has four plants in the country – vehicle and engine plants in Chennai and Sanand.
Ford’s “quit India” decision will result in an uncertain future for about 5,300 employees – workers and staff, the officials said last year.
The Chennai plant has about 2,700 associates (permanent workers) and about 600 staff.
“In Sanand, the number of workers will be about 2,000,” Sanand workers’ union General Secretary Nayan Kateshiya had told IANS.
Ford India had said more than 500 employees at the Sanand engine plant, which produces engines for export, and about 100 employees supporting parts distribution and customer service, also will continue to support Ford’s business in India.
According to Ford India, about 4,000 employees are expected to be affected by its decision.
The workers at Ford India want the prospective buyer of the car plants to hire them.
On Monday, Tata Passenger Electric Mobility and Ford India signed an MOU with the Gujarat government for the potential acquisition of Ford India’s Sanand vehicle manufacturing facility including its land and buildings, vehicle manufacturing plant, machinery and equipment, and transfer of all eligible employees engaged vehicle manufacturing operations, subject to the signing of definitive agreements and receipt of relevant approvals.
Tata Motors said Ford India will operate its powertrain manufacturing facilities by leasing back the land and buildings of the unit from Tata Passenger Electric Mobility.
Tata Passenger Electric Mobility would invest into new machinery and equipment which is necessary to commission and make the unit ready to produce its vehicles.
With the proposed investments, it would establish an installed capacity of 300,000 units per annum, which would be scalable to more than 400,000 units.
Tata Motors already has a presence in Gujarat and Ford India’s plant is nearby.
Last October, senior officials of Tata group had met Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin that fueled the speculation about the former showing interest in Ford India’s plant in the state.
Tata Group Chairman N.Chandrasekaran had a meeting with Chief Minister Stalin, Industries Minister Thangam Thennarasu, and senior state government officials.
In September 2021, a Tata Motors delegation led by its Executive Director Girish Wagh had met Stalin.
However, the agenda of the two meetings was not known.
Business
Uttarkashi Tunnel Collapse: Adani Group Issues Clarification Amid ‘Nefarious Attempts’ To Link It To The Incident

The Adani Group issued a clarification on Monday in response to recent claims linking the company to the tragic incident of a tunnel collapse in Uttarakhand. These allegations suggest that the group should be ‘held responsible’ for the Uttarkashi tunnel collapse.
“It has come to our notice that some elements are making nefarious attempts to link us to the unfortunate collapse of a tunnel in Uttarakhand. We strongly condemn these attempts and those behind them,” the company stated in the media release.
“We clarify with utmost emphasis that the Adani Group or any of its subsidiaries has no direct or indirect involvement of any kind in the tunnel’s construction. We also clarify that we do not own or hold any shares in the company involved in the tunnel’s construction. At this time, our thoughts and prayers are with the trapped workers and their families,” it added.
The construction of the Uttarkashi tunnel, a part of the Char Dham project, is being carried out by Navayuga Engineering Company Limited based in Hyderabad. This company, under the Navayuga Group, led by CV Rao, has no apparent link with the Adani Group.
Uttarkashi Tunnel Collapse
In an unfortunate incident, an under-construction tunnel located in Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand, collapsed during the early hours of Sunday, November 12, leaving around 41 laborers trapped inside. This incident unfolded along the Yamunotri National Highway, posing a significant risk to the lives of those who were trapped within. The occurrence transpired late at night, prompting ongoing rescue operations aimed at safely extracting the workers from the tunnel.
Business
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman Inaugurates SBI Branch In Trincomalee, Sri Lanka

Union Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman, marked her official visit to Sri Lanka by inaugurating the State Bank of India (SBI) branch in Trincomalee.
Ministry of Finance posted on X, “Union Finance Minister Smt. @nsitharaman inaugurated the State Bank of India @TheOfficialSBI Branch in Trincomalee, today, during her official visit to Sri Lanka. H.E. Mr. @S_Thondaman, Governor of Eastern Province, Sri Lanka; Shri Gopal Baglay, India’s High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, and Chairman @TheOfficialSBI Shri Dinesh Khara were also present at the inauguration”.
The event was attended by several dignitaries, including H.E. S Thondaman, the Governor of the Eastern Province in Sri Lanka, Gopal Baglay, India’s High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, and Chairman of SBI, Dinesh Khara.
During the inaugural ceremony, Sitharaman acknowledged the remarkable legacy of the State Bank of India, which has been serving Sri Lanka for 159 years.
She commended SBI’s dedication to expanding its operations both domestically and internationally.
The presence of SBI in Sri Lanka has played a crucial role, particularly during the recent Sri Lankan economic crisis.
It facilitated the smooth extension of a Line of Credit worth USD 1 billion from the Government of India to Sri Lanka, further strengthening the bilateral relationship.
Furthermore, SBI Sri Lanka continues to play a vital role in supporting corporates engaged in international trade.
The bank has been actively promoting remittances through a robust digital platform, including the SBI Sri Lanka YONO app and online banking services, in addition to traditional in-branch operations.
Following the inauguration, Sitharaman had the opportunity to interact with the new branch officials and distribute passbooks to new customers. She also left her mark in Trincomalee, Sri Lanka, by filling the visitor’s book.
There are currently five branches of SBI Sri Lanka in operation- the Fort and Foreign Currency Banking Unit (FCBU) branches in the main Fort building, the Colpetty branch, the Wellawatta branch, and the Kandy branch. Every Branch is connected to every other Branch via a network.
Trincomalee, a region in Sri Lanka, hosts several Indian businesses, including oil marketing companies and petrochemical infrastructures, underlining the robust economic ties between the two nations.
This initiative further strengthens the financial and economic cooperation between India and Sri Lanka.
Business
Wagh Bakri Director Parag Desai, Injured In Attack By Stray Dogs, Dies Due To Brain Haemorrhage At 49

Parag Desai, executive director at Gujarat Tea Processors and Packers, which is known for its brand Wagh Bakri passed away on October 22, a week after he was injured in an accident.
Desai was admitted to Shelby Hospital on October 15 after he slipped outside his residence trying to fight street dogs that attacked him. He suffered severe head injuries during the fall that led to brain haemorrhage.
A security guard informed the family member of the incident after which he was rushed to the hospital. After a day of observation at Shelby Hospital, Desai was moved to Zydus Hospital for a surgical procedure.
However, he passed away on Sunday due to brain haemorrhage.
Gujarat Congress Chief and Rajya Sabha Member Shaktisinh Gohil offered his condolences through a social media post. He said, “Very sad news coming in. Parag Desai, Director and owner Wagh Bakri Tea passed away. He had a brain haemorrhage following a fall. May his soul rest in peace. My condolences to the entire Wagh Bakri family across India.”
He was the son of Rasesh Desai, the Managing Director of the Wagh Bakri Tea Group. Desai is survived by his wife and daughter Vidisha and Parisha.
Deasi who led the Group’s transformation into Tea lounges and e-commerce has completed his MBA from Long Island University in the US. He was an expert tea taster and evaluator and through his career has spearheaded the sales, marketing and export department for the group.
-
Crime1 year ago
Class 10 student jumps to death in Jaipur
-
Bollywood3 months ago
Jawan Leaked Online! Shah Rukh Khan’s Film Falls Prey To Piracy Within Hours Of Release
-
Crime2 years ago
‘You must stop this’, SC expresses concern on hate speeches made at Dharam Sansads
-
Entertainment11 months ago
Rakhi Sawant changes name to Fatima after her wedding with Adil Khan Durrani – Check viral Nikah pics
-
Bollywood2 years ago
Anushka Sharma starts shooting for her ‘Chakda Xpress’
-
Maharashtra2 years ago
Corona third wave knocked in Maharashtra!
-
Maharashtra7 months ago
Maharashtra: Political heavyweight Sharad Pawar steps down as NCP chief
-
International3 months ago
Asia Cup 2023: Body Blow For Sri Lanka As Lead Spinner Likely To Miss Final Against India