Bandhs, pollution affected U S investment in Bengal: envoy
Frequent bandhs which are a "strange way of expressing political opinion" and environmental pollution are hindering American investments in West Bengal, a senior US diplomat said here today.
By PTI |
KOLKATA: Frequent bandhs which are a "strange way of expressing political opinion" and environmental pollution are hindering American investments in West Bengal, a senior US diplomat said here today.
''There have been a series of bandhs. They send a negative message. The political parties (who call the bandhs) should think what message they are sending,'' US Consul General Henry V Jardine told members of the Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC).
Often, the U S companies working in the state experience 'frustration' in explaining to their principals back home "what all this means," he said.
Describing bandhs as an instrument of intimidation, he said, ''India is a vibrant democracy. But bandhs are a strange way of expressing a political opinion. It is like saying: you'll get hurt if you go to work.''
Pointing out that air quality in the metropolis was the worst in the country, Jardine said although this was primarily due to vehicular pollution, the government was not efficiently implementing the environemental laws and regulations.
ICC must lobby with the authorities to tackle the problem "and create the right environment for not only business to thrive but also make a city a healthy place to live," he said.
In an indirect ciriticism of the West Bengal government for its myopic planning of infrastructure, Jardine said "the West Bengal government has been seeking foreign investment in infrastructure. The projects, however, need to be large and visionary in scope to create the potential for investment and development. The addition of a few two-lane roads is not sufficient for real economic growth.
''There have been a series of bandhs. They send a negative message. The political parties (who call the bandhs) should think what message they are sending,'' US Consul General Henry V Jardine told members of the Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC).
Often, the U S companies working in the state experience 'frustration' in explaining to their principals back home "what all this means," he said.
Describing bandhs as an instrument of intimidation, he said, ''India is a vibrant democracy. But bandhs are a strange way of expressing a political opinion. It is like saying: you'll get hurt if you go to work.''
Pointing out that air quality in the metropolis was the worst in the country, Jardine said although this was primarily due to vehicular pollution, the government was not efficiently implementing the environemental laws and regulations.
ICC must lobby with the authorities to tackle the problem "and create the right environment for not only business to thrive but also make a city a healthy place to live," he said.
ADVERTISEMENT
In an indirect ciriticism of the West Bengal government for its myopic planning of infrastructure, Jardine said "the West Bengal government has been seeking foreign investment in infrastructure. The projects, however, need to be large and visionary in scope to create the potential for investment and development. The addition of a few two-lane roads is not sufficient for real economic growth.
Download
The Economic Times Business News App for the Latest News in Business, Sensex, Stock Market Updates & More.
The Economic Times Business News App for the Latest News in Business, Sensex, Stock Market Updates & More.
Download
The Economic Times News App for Quarterly Results, Latest News in ITR, Business, Share Market, Live Sensex News & More.
The Economic Times News App for Quarterly Results, Latest News in ITR, Business, Share Market, Live Sensex News & More.
ADVERTISEMENT
