Mamata Banerjee on Thursday pulled up the land department for its delay in clearing land issues related to industry and said her government’s next target was industrialisation as it would generate employment and improve the state’s economic health.

“If the process of land papers is delayed, then how will there be industry? You all know that my target now is industry. So many people are promising to invest huge money like Rs 10,000 crore in Howrah. Why will they wait for clearance of land-related issues?” the chief minister asked at an administrative meeting in Howrah on Thursday.

In a fresh phase of visiting districts to review administrative works, Mamata met officials and entrepreneurs in Howrah on Thursday.

“In the next two years, 822 new industrial projects will come up in Howrah and the total amount of investment would be Rs 10,400 crore. These investments would create 1.16 lakh jobs,” she said addressing local businessmen and entrepreneurs.

Mamata said an event would be organised on December 14 in Howrah district where all issues and land-related problems for investors would be resolved.

She announced that her government was going to develop a new dairy farm of its own — Banglar Dairy — which senior officials consider as an initiative to promote such industries in the state.

“Banglar Dairy is coming up and we have planned to open 512 outlets to sell dairy products like milk, cheese and butter. More than 600 outlets will be opened in a later phase,” said Mamata.

A senior official said at the meeting that the government was also inviting private investors to state-run dairy farm projects.

Sources said the chief minister had requested the businessmen to give priority to local youths in recruitment.

“I will request you to recruit youths from local areas. Our government is training workers to gain skill. You may personally train them but recruit local youths into your units,” said Mamata.

A senior official said Mamata had asked the land department not to delay the process of issuing land papers for industries and directed them to take the help of the vigilance wing to weed out irregularities.

The chief minister also said her government would issue a Fishermen Credit Card just like Kisan Credit Card in Bengal very soon to help thousands of fishermen get loans and insurance for their investment in fisheries.