Chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday stepped in to underline the continuity in Bengal’s industrialisation drive after she took over industries department from Partha Chatterjee.
At a meeting of the West Bengal Industrial Promotion Board in Calcutta on Thursday, Mamata interacted with leading industrialists of the state, apprising them of ongoing and upcoming projects and listening to suggestions from the business community.
“For some days, till such time something new takes place, industry will be with me, as well as other departments that were with Parthada…,” she said in the presence of chief secretary H.K. Dwivedi and industry secretary Vandana Yadav.
Mamata also hinted at possible reconstitution of the state cabinet and getting a new face for the industry department. “Maybe, I will do nothing, but since I am not re-constituting the cabinet now…,” said the chief minister.
It was evident from the proceedings at the meeting that Mamata would still pursue the industrialisation drive — her stated priority during the third-term of power —irrespective of the political setback on account of Partha Chatterjee’s arrest.
Mamata, aided by Dwivedi, mentioned several projects which were being executed or would be launched soon.
Apart from updating the participants on the proposed Deocha-Pachami coal mine and Tajpur port, she informed that an additional 50-acre plot had been allotted for Silicon Valley Hub, taking the Rajarhat project to 250 acres. Plots have been allotted to 63 applicants, the latest being Adani Group and L&T Infotech.
Mamata also informed that a fishery hub and solar park would come up at Nayachar on an 11,000-acre plot, a multi modal logistic hub at Belur on 70 acres and a mixed use development at Durgapur on 300 acres. Alipore jail redevelopment project is also getting a good response, she added.
Moreover, the chief secretary has informed that five proposals will be taken up for cabinet approval allowing additional land of tea gardens for alternative use. The industrialists were apprised that the state planned to develop five industrial and economic corridors and the Andal airport would be modernised.
The meeting was attended by leading industrialists and top executives such as RP-SG Group chairman Sanjiv Goenka, ITC chairman and managing director Sanjiv Puri, Patton Group managing director Sanjay Budhia, Luxmi Group MD Rudra Chatterjee, Reliance Industries east head Tarun Jhunjhunwala and Merlin group chairman Sushil Mohta.
Many of them put forward their suggestions on the areas where the government should focus. Goenka said the state must act to clear negative perceptions about Bengal and highlight the development taking place here.
During her interaction, Mamata suggested a new policy where land would be auctioned off as freehold land instead of leasehold. She said a new policy on that would be brought in the future.
