A private investor who decided to reopen his industrial unit after 13 years at the Raninagar Industrial Centre, on the outskirts of Jalpaiguri town, alleged receiving “phone calls” with links to Trinamul union leaders on Wednesday, the day he reached the site.
J.D. Gupta, chairman-cum-managing director of JD Industries (India) Limited, said that ever since he reached Raninagar, he had been receiving the calls.
“I reached here today (Wednesday) to facilitate the reopening of the factory for iron and pre-galvanised pipes. Ever since I came here, I received a number of calls from people asking me to meet trade union leaders of Trinamul before I start work. I don’t know why I’m being to meet these leaders,” said Gupta.
In 2006, his company set up an iron pipe-making plant on 10.1 acres in Raninagar. However, in 2009, the company with similar units in Punjab and Rajasthan, closed the Raninagar unit over “internal issues”.
Recently, Gupta decided to reopen the unit and spoke to officials of the state commerce and industry department and the West Bengal Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (WBIIDC, which runs the industrial centre).
“I was assured of every help by officials. We intend to pump in around Rs 5 crore. We have set a monthly production target of 500 tonnes. Initially, around 100 people will get jobs,” Gupta, accompanied by WBIIDC officials to the site, said.
He said he would talk with trade union leaders in good time. “But calls on the very first day upset me,” he said.
Mahua Gope, Jalpaiguri Trinamul chief, said: “If an investor faces problems because of anyone linked to our party, we will take stern steps.”