Sanjay ???????????????????????- 1. Is a municipal corporation in Jamshedpur legally tenable? Can it have any jurisdiction over the area leased out to Tatas? Doesn�t it contradict provisions in the lease agreement? Finally, will the Tatas file a formal objection? Ans. As per the legal opinion we have received, the proposal for a Municipal Corporation in Jamshedpur is legally not tenable for reasons more than one: such as the Government desires to include the rural areas also, whereas the village panchayats have a separate legal identity and as such cannot be included in a Corporation. Another reason is that the infrastructure in the town for providing the municipal services belongs to the Company and not to the Government. In other words the Government does not own any infrastructure to provide municipal services to the town of Jamshedpur. While on one hand in the recent lease agreement of August 2005, the Government has given due cognizance to the high standard of services being rendered in the town by the Company, on the other hand, it has issued the notification to invite objections for formation of Municipal Corporation. Earlier, the Government has even desired that Company should provide the facilities to areas which have been excluded from the lease. We must remember that after a lapse of ten years, when the lease was signed in August�05, the entire town was rejoicing. After all, this is connected to the general well being and day-to-day life of the citizens of Jamshedpur. Yes, the Company will file a formal objection and take appropriate steps as may be advised. 2. The popular perception is that the Tatas are very powerful in Jharkhand; in fact most people believe that Tatas run the Government or at least they have very good relations with the State government. So why would the State Government do something to antagonize the Tatas? Or is there something that does not meet the eyes? Ans. Tata Steel has always believed in having very good relations with the State Government and in sharing the responsibility of the State Government in many aspects. It is appropriate to mention that the house of Tata goes out of the way to set an example of a conscious and responsible corporate citizen. It believes in sharing the profit with the general public and takes care of the needs of not only its employees but also of the public at large within and beyond Jamshedpur. Construction of Mango Bridge, Beautification of Ranchi Railway Station, and construction of approach road of Tatanagar Railway Station are few illustrations of the good gesture of the Company. It has undertaken a number of initiatives for rural upliftment, providing basic education, prevention of diseases like AIDS, which are all aimed at bringing about excellence in public life. In the recent past the Company has committed to contributed 50% of the expenses for setting up the National Sports Complex so that it becomes possible for the State to hold the prestigious National Games event in the State of Jharkhand. Tata Steel has also agreed to contribute Rs. 25 Crores annually to a Public Health Scheme which will be for the benefit of the people Below Poverty Line. The Company believes in excellence beyond business and participates in improvement in every walk of public life. We cannot understand the reason behind the proposal of the Urban Development Department of the State Government for the MC in Jamshedpur as it does not make legal or practical sense. 3. Assuming that a corporation does come up under the existing provisions, how will it influence the area administered by the Tatas at present? Ans. Imagine the situation - infrastructure and all provisions with the Company and the responsibility of running the municipal services in the Municipal Corporation area with the MC. This would result in the decline in the quality of services. Municipal Corporation does not have the requisite infrastructure nor the assured funding that the Company provides. Possibly, even if Tata Steel would want to continue to provide services in the areas in the manner it has been doing, the same may become difficult or even impossible. The town would then be like any other town run by a Municipal Corporation. People of Jamshedpur have seen and know the working of a Corporation as there are enough examples in the State and outside. The towns run by the Corporation speak of the difference in attitude at work. Perhaps for other towns, under the law there is no choice. But here the Company has taken the responsibility and proposes to continue with the same facilities. The Constitution has also appreciated the particular situation of a township run by an industrial entity and has therefore made provisions for the running of such towns. 4. An argument in favour of the Corporation is that it is a democratic right given to the people; that by denying people a right to administer themselves, it is argued, the Tatas or other industries like SAIL are doing a disservice. Your comments. Ans. The right to life is a fundamental right. In many judgments the Supreme Court has held that the right to life includes the right to pollution free air, good quality water, reasonably good home etc. It is a question of what is more important? The fundamental right to life or the democratic right of casting a third vote? The functioning of elected Municipal Corporations after exercising the democratic right to third vote, is available in the neighbouring cities. Also the option of the Industrial Township is also a Constitutional provision. 5. Is it possible for the Tatas to allow citizens space and some say in the steel city�s administration? Ans. For Tata Steel, involving citizens in the city�s administration is a way of working. Tata Steel has always run the town with participation of the citizens. Meetings are held with the Senior citizens and other forums where people can voice their suggestions and due care is taken to implement whatever is possible. 6. Is it possible to make the administration of the steel city more transparent? Like how much is being spent on maintaining the civic amenities and what is being contributed by the citizens? Ans. The people are well aware of what they are paying to Tata Steel in lieu of the services. As per the lease, Tata Steel is authorized to realize �charges� for the services and does not impose �taxes� as a Corporation is empowered to do. The quality of power, water, general cleanliness around in the town, vis-?-vis the payment can be compared with any town run by a Corporation, where payments in the form of holding tax, water and other taxes is much higher. However, the question of being transparent arises only if the expenses in the town are not visible. The statement that Tata Steel spends huge amount on municipal services, is visible from the condition of the town itself and I think there is no dispute with regard to this. The work done for constant improvement of roads, developing greenery in the town, maintaining the traffic islands, signboards, traffic lights, etc is visible and reflects transparency. 7. Isn�t there a symbiotic relationship between the Tata Steel area and the outskirts? Surely a section of the Tata employees live in those areas and others depend on those areas for manpower, services etc.? If so, the other option could be for JUSCO or the Tatas to take over the outskirts like Mango, Sakchi and Jugsalai etc.? Ans. Certainly, there is a symbiotic relationship between Tata Steel area and the outskirts. The construction of Mango bridge, approach road to the railway station, maintenance of bridge on Kharkai river, high mast lights on the bridges, Transportnagar are all illustrations to show how much Tata Steel values the symbiotic relationships with the residents of outskirts. Within the town, the Company has set up the Jubilee Park, Zoo, Laser Fountain (which is the world class technology and the first of its kind in this part of the country) for recreation of not only the citizens of the town, but also of the outskirts. However, in the outskirts there are local bodies and if they so desire, the conditions of those areas can be improved. Tata Steel can contribute in the same through its 100% subsidiary JUSCO, which has expertise in providing municipal services and power distribution services. But this can happen, only if the local bodies of those areas so desire and appropriate arrangement is made to give effect to the agreed arrangement. 8. Why are you so vehemently opposed to the idea of a Corporation? Is it the loss of power or authority or is there some other reason? Ans. The most important thing in an industrial town is production, which can optimize only if the people who work in the industries are happy. In turn, the people directly and indirectly contributing to the production can be happy, if they have good facilities, markets, roads, street lights, hygienic living conditions, schools, hospitals, etc to that life for them and their families are taken care of. On the other hand, if the people directly and indirectly connected with the industries work optimally, the national and state economy benefits. Therefore, it is in the interest of the nation, state and the public at large that the town should be declared as Industrial Township. Actually, this is exactly the spirit of the 74th amendment of the Constitution. The amendment was introduced in the Constitution on the recommendation of a Committee headed by Mr S K Patil, the Union Minister for Food and Civil Supplies. The Committee had recommended that �The economic planning and building up of a township is only one part of the job, it has to be efficiently administered as well, as on this depends to a great extent the employees� satisfaction. Several problems arise which are required to be dealt with adequately in the administration of Industrial Township as they differ much from other normal towns. The administration of Industrial Township should vest fully with the industrial authority as in the case with military cantonments, where defence authorities have effective control. This requires suitable legislation.� The recommendation of Patil Committee was found to be very practical and this was the reason behind introducing the concept of Industrial Township in the Constitution. Therefore, it is in the interest of the overall economy and the public that Jamshedpur is declared as Industrial Township. 9. What is the Chief Minister�s take on the controversy? What did he say when you met him? Ans. We all have seen that the Chief Minister is interested in growth and expansion of the industry and municipal services is inseparable part of growth of any industry. The Hon�ble Ministers, Government officials have all appreciated the living conditions of Jamshedpur and we hope that we will receive full co-operation from the Government in continuing to maintain the town in its present form. eom