Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Friday assured all help to Bengal in its bid to reinvigorate its dwindling industrial scenario.
Jaitley, who was speaking at Biswa Banga Sanmelan or Bengal global summit of investors said that it was the vested interest of the Central Government to help the State’s develop because the country will develop only when the States develop. He assured Bengal Government “that the Centre will stand solidly behind you and work hand-in-hand to help you.”
The Chief Minister had for the past a few years had been trying hard to bring investment, which had been eluding the State particularly on account of the Trinamool Government’s land policy (of no forced acquisition) and steadily falling law and order situation forcing many industries to down their shutters. The Summit is part of Banerjee’s endeavour to bring investment in Bengal.
Reminding that “the strength of India is its federal politics” he said “despite political differences we cooperate with each other.” Speaking on the strength of Bengal in terms of attracting business he said the State had a “potential in agriculture,” human resources “razor-sharp intellect history of producing big minds” coupled with natural resources reserve and so “if it follows investment-friendly policy then it will be restored to its lost glory.”
He maintained “I have come here to assure the Bengal Government that all policy initiatives that it is going to take for the industrial growth of West Bengal, the Central Government will support as part of its constitutional obligation,” adding “In our policy, interest of making eastern India grow faster will stand strongly and we will work hand-in-hand with the State not only to ensure that investments come into the State, but (also to ensure) growth rate in this part of the country is much faster.”
Urging upon the investors to invest in the State Banerjee said “come and invest in Bengal as employers. I appeal to you as an employee to come and invest here as employers.” Assuring quick clearances of files and a single-window system she said “days of bandhs have gone and the new Government has painstakingly created land bank and land map for the investors who mean business.”
Speaking on the occasion, Power minister Piyush Goyal heaped praises on Mamata Banerjee-led TMC Government saying the state is moving towards the right path of development and growth.
“I can witness a very passionate scene both within the Government and among the captains of the industries to come and invest in West Bengal. I have seen the State emerge as an investment hub in recent years. It has come back in the map of investment after decades of unfortunate degradation of investment climate here,” Goyal said addressing the Bengal Global Business Summit here.
“The book about the achievements of the State Government in trade and industries in the last four years truly reflects the transformational change that we have witnessed in the state in last few years. The paribartan (change) that was talked about and also reflects the opportunities that this state is throwing up under the leadership of Mamata Banerjee here,” the Union Power Minister said.
A “significant paradigm shift” has been witnessed in the way investment is being attracted in the state in the last few years.
“I am glad that West Bengal has come to terms that infrastructure is key to growth. Several big industrial houses once had their roots in West Bengal. As we work as Team India in partnership with the 29 states, we are not letting political ideology come in the way of the development of the country,” he said.
Among others who were present in the programme were Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and industrialist Mukesh Ambani.