Industrialization initiative of West Bengal state government under question

Industrially backward northern half of West Bengal is all set to have a shot in its arm. The state government is about to establish a bunch of industrial estates in the region. But the question remains, whether this alone can pull the region towards proper industrialization or not while many serious allied issues are remaining unheard since long.

"We are going to have 12 new industrial estates in the state with special thrust to north Bengal. The state government has already earmarked a sum of Rs 100 crore to start with the works for development of these estates," said Col. S. Bagchi, Chairman West Bengal Small Industries Development Corporation (WBSIDCL).

"These industrial estates, at least 6 in north Bengal, when fully operational, may generate over 50 thousand job opportunities besides giving this part of the state a quantum jump in the direction of industrialization," he added.

One more initiative of state Government, that may impart important synergy to the initiative, is opening of mini secretariat of state Government at Siliguri. "Put together, these two are major boost for the development of northern half of the state," said Mr. P. K. Shah, Chairman, CII North Bengal chapter.

Indeed encouraging initiative. But, "A serious issue remained pending," said people in industrial arena of north Bengal. Geographically North Bengal is at a unique location that is detrimental to its industrialization prospect. State of Sikkim and Assam, both members of North East Council, are at northern and eastern border of the region. Both of these states are empowered to offer lucrative benefits to aspirant investors in industry sector. "Naturally, north Bengal practically comes at a void between Sikkim and Assam," they said.

In order to combat the situation, "We have been proposing north Bengal to be included into NEC since long as it also hosts almost similar socio-geo- economical structure as North eastern states. Or at least West Bengal may offer similar benefits to investors," said Mr. Shah.

Immediately after being enthroned to power in 2011, the TMC lead West Bengal state Government expressed its positive outlook on the issue. Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committees on Transport, Tourism and Culture, headed by CPIM Polite Bureau member Mr. Sitaram Yechury, also recommended this inclusion in its report in 2013.

But, the issue practically did not find any light from any positive direction so far. The CM Miss Mamata Banerjee herself remained silent on this while inaugurating a bunch of projects and mini secretariat for north Bengal near Siliguri on 20th.

"This should be a priority of state Government if it really expects north Bengal to develop in industrialization," opined many veterans in north Bengal industrial arena.