Bengal to accord SEZ status to more areas

KOLKATA: Dispelling fears in industrial circles of West Bengal on strikes, cessation of work or workers unrest, the state government defended its position by saying that the “total mandays lost ...as compared to other states is quite negligible.�
On the other hand, the government feels that there is a campaign against the state. “The state government believes in responsible trade unionism and there is no place of any kind of opportunism that hinders the process of industrial development,� said Mr Nirupam Sen, minister of commerce and industries, West Bengal government.
He reiterated the state’s stand against militant trade unionism at the annual general meeting of the Bharat Chamber of Commerce held in the city yesterday.
Mr Sen quoted a recent report published in ET to substantiate that the labour productivity in the state has been gradually rising over the years. “While in the arena of labour management issues, the state will ensure higher output and maximise productivity,� Mr Sen added.
He however chided the fact that in some units, workers are denied the basic minimum wages or other benefits to which they are entitled. “This kind of attitude prevailing in some industries can never build congenial atmosphere for maintaining industrial peace,� Mr Sen said. The minister also pointed out that the state government is planning to accord SEZ status to few other industrial areas as well.
“Apart from Kulpi, we are now thinking to accord the SEZ status to the leather complex at Bantala for helping the exporters,� Mr Sen later told the media in the sidelines of the meeting.
However, the minister played to the political gallery by ending his speech by dispelling the ‘feel good factor’ and ‘India shining’ movement by the central government. The anti-BJP political flavour was highlighted in his speech at a meet of a commercial chamber.