India, Sept. 18 -- Tata Trusts chairman Noel Tata told the Tata Sons board on Thursday that he would block any decision to list the country's largest company by revenue and instead suggested the group's holding company ask the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for at least three years to meet the requirements if a listing is eventually necessary.

Noel's statement challenges Tata Sons' claim that its board had decided to "start steps to follow the applicable RBI guidelines."

"If I am forced to vote, then I would have no option but to veto any such decision to list," Noel told the board, according to a statement later released by Tata Trusts. "A listing will destroy its character and strike at the heart of this principle," Noel said.

"Turning ...