‘It went towards guidelines’: L&T chief breaks silence on Sunday work remark, cites venture strain
L&T Chairman S N Subrahmanyan has addressed the backlash over his remark that staff ought to work on Sundays, clarifying that it was made casually underneath strain and recorded with out consent.
In an interview to Moneycontrol, Subrahmanyan defined that the comment was made throughout a casual dialog whereas he was grappling with critical delays throughout a number of high-stakes initiatives.
“There have been critical points on my thoughts,” he mentioned. “5 or 6 shoppers, together with some very high-profile ones, personally spoke to me, referred to as me, despatched emails about our progress. I used to be frightened as a result of we had been struggling to mobilise workers and labour, and work was not occurring the way in which it ought to. Regardless of my involvement, initiatives weren’t transferring.”
He added that the scenario was professionally embarrassing. “It was not good to be referred to as out at that degree. It doesn’t replicate effectively on me or the organisation.”
Subrahmanyan harassed that the Sunday remark was by no means supposed as a directive and occurred throughout an unsanctioned recording. “When one gentleman requested me the query, I spoke casually,” he mentioned. “Nevertheless it went towards the principles as there was a statutory warning of no recording.”
He acknowledged the general public response and private impression. “On hindsight, I might have answered in a different way,” he mentioned. “Usually, I communicate in a straightforward method. That’s my type. However I acknowledge I might have spoken in a different way. My spouse additionally felt unhealthy as a result of her identify acquired concerned.”
Reflecting on the emotional toll, Subrahmanyan mentioned, “It has not been simple. It has preyed on my thoughts. However what occurred, occurred. I can not withdraw it now. If an identical query is available in an identical temper, perhaps I’ll reply in a different way.”
He attributed the misstep to emphasize brought on by poor venture efficiency, calling it “our oxygen.” “When it goes flawed, issues come out in that method. Perhaps it might have come out in a different way,” he mentioned.
The remark resurfaced amid scrutiny over Subrahmanyan’s sharp pay hike. In keeping with Mint, his remuneration jumped practically 50% in FY25—from ₹51.05 crore to ₹76.25 crore—shortly earlier than the controversy broke, additional fueling public criticism.
