Hope West Asia conflict does not affect supply chain: Tata Group chairman
Jamshedpur (PTI): Tata Group Chairman N Chandrasekaran on Tuesday hoped that the current conflict between Iran and the US-Israel does not affect the supply chain, and said the conglomerate has plans to mitigate risks that can emanate from the ongoing war in West Asia.
He also emphasised on the safety of employees of Tata group companies working in West Asia.
"Geopolitics is the most unpredictable situation. Last year was also a tough year. I think things will settle down soon, and I hope that the supply chain should not be a problem. As uncertainty prevailed in the geopolitical situation, we have planned to mitigate risks that can emanate from the prevailing situation, not only for the Tata Group but also for the country," he said.
Chandrasekaran, along with Tata Trusts Chairman Noel Tata and Tata Steel CEO and Managing Director T V Narendran and heads of various group companies, was here to pay tribute to Tata Steel Founder Jamsetji Nusserwanji Tata on his 187th birth anniversary.
He said Tata Steel procures limestone from West Asia and has enough inventory.
"Tata Steel will diversify for alternative sources. We are confident that it will not be a problem," he said.
Chandrasekaran also said the safety of employees working in West Asia is now the group's priority.
"Our employees are working there in service companies, hotels. Air India planes are flying. Our main priority is the safety of our employees. Our group has been active for the last three days. All employees are safe," he said.
The Tata Group chairman said that there may be some ups and downs in businesses in view of the prevailing situation.
"If the business gets affected for a few days and months, it will be recovered, but our top priority is the safety of our employees and their families. We plan for the civilians and risk mitigation, safety of employees and business continuity, supply eco-system and our customers," he said.
Replying to a query on artificial intelligence, Chandrasekaran said AI offers plenty of opportunities for Tata Consultancy Services (TCS).
Whenever there is such a technology change, people get anxious that everything will be automated, which will risk their employment, he said.
"Even discussions take place about which business will go up or down, but companies such as Tata Steel and Tata Motors integrate these tools to take full advantage, and TCS has a vast opportunity in the AI sector," he said.
He also said the group's businesses are expanding, and its employee base was around 7.5 lakh five years ago, and "today, it is over 11 lakh".
"Many manufacturing jobs are coming up with our expansion plan, and these figures are likely to go up to 15 lakh in the next five-six years. We need skilled people...young people from all disciplines," Chandrasekaran said, adding that the group was also investing in skill development.
Extending greetings to the people on the occasion of the birth anniversary of the Tata Steel founder, Chandrasekaran said he was happy to be in Jamshedpur.
Tata Steel, which will complete 120 years of operations this May, continues to thrive and is pushing forward with new technology, he said.
In Jamshedpur, he said, Tata Motors is also investing in building next-generation technology using hydrogen.
Tata Power is also expanding its partnership with Tata Steel and Tata Motors in renewable energy technology, he said.
"Many things are happening, and we would like to see how we can be part of the ecosystem and continue to grow," he said.
Asked about his meeting with Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren in Ranchi on Monday, Chandrasekaran said it was constructive.
"We have announced an investment of Rs 11,000 crore to develop something to address carbon footprint," he said.
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18 of 283 stranded Karnataka residents return from West Asia
Bengaluru (PTI): The Karnataka government on Tuesday said 18 of the 283 people from Karnataka stranded in conflict-hit West Asian countries returned home on Tuesday morning.
Details of all those people from the state stranded in the Gulf region have been forwarded to the MEA and Karnataka Bhavan for necessary coordination and assistance, they said.
"As of 10 am on March 3, details of 283 stranded people from Karnataka received at SEOC (State Emergency Operations Centre) and DEOC (District Emergency Operations Centre), and they were forwarded to MEA and Karnataka Bhavan. Out of which, 18 have returned this morning, some are in transit," the office of Munish Moudgil, Relief Commissioner and Principal Secretary to Government, Revenue Department said in a statement.
As per the calls received at the SEOC and various DEOCs, 265 people from Karnataka (excluding returnees) are stranded at the conflict-hit regions of the West Asian countries.
Of these, 198 people from Karnataka are stranded in the UAE, 31 people in Bahrain, 14 in Qatar, 13 in Kuwait, four in Saudi Arabia, four in Iran and one in Turkey.
Meanwhile, as many as 42 flights were cancelled at the Kempegowda International Airport here till 3 pm on Tuesday due to prevailing airspace restrictions, airport authorities said.
A total of 21 arrivals and 21 departures were affected, disrupting services on key international sectors including Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Dubai and Doha, they said.
According to the official statement, flight operations have partially resumed from the UAE and other West Asian countries.
Passengers should check flight status with their airlines before going to the airport and rely only on official sources for updates. Passengers can reach out to the AirSewa portal (https://airsewa.gov.in/#/home) or call the MOCA helpline number 011-24604283/011-24632987 for information on flight status, it said.
The SEOC and DEOCs are regularly updating advisories issued by the MEA and Indian Embassies/Consulates in the affected countries.
The Karnataka Resident Commissioner has also activated the Karnataka Bhavan team in New Delhi for coordination, they said.
The state government has urged people from Karnataka residing in the affected West Asian countries to strictly adhere to the guidelines and advisories issued by the local governments.
They have been advised to contact the respective Indian Embassies/Consulates through helpline numbers and register on the Sarthi Sahayata portal and other official portals of the concerned Embassies/Consulates. Further, for transit visa-related matters, it is requested to contact the nearest FRRO, the statement added.
