West Bengal government holds pre-budget talks with industry bodies'

Kolkata: The West Bengal finance department on Tuesday held a pre-budget consultation meeting with industry chambers and trade associations, with stakeholders pitching for measures to boost investment, ease of doing business and infrastructure development ahead of the first budget of the BJP's maiden government in the state.

The meeting, chaired by Additional Chief Secretary (Finance) Prabhat Kumar Mishra, was attended by representatives of major industry bodies including the Bharat Chamber of Commerce, CREDAI, ASSOCHAM, CII and several other chambers and trade organisations.

Senior state government officials, including Commissioner of State Tax Khalid Anwar, were present at the meeting.


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According to finance department sources, the government sought suggestions from industry and trade bodies before finalising the budget proposals.

"The meeting was primarily consultative in nature. Representatives from various chambers and trade bodies shared their views and expectations from the upcoming budget across sectors," a finance department source told PTI.

Issues raised during the discussions included investment incentives, development of the Haldia industrial region, promotion of solar energy projects, simplification of trade licence procedures, strengthening of the single-window clearance mechanism, solid waste management, and concerns relating to the real estate and construction sectors, the source said.

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The Bharat Chamber of Commerce submitted a memorandum containing its recommendations and also made a presentation on key policy measures required to improve the business environment in the state.

The state budget is scheduled to be presented on June 22, while the budget session of the Assembly is set to commence on June 18.

The state is currently awaiting the announcement of a state finance minister by the BJP government. Party legislators indicated that the portfolio allocation for the expanded Cabinet is expected on Wednesday, following the swearing-in of 35 ministers on Monday.

Industry bodies are also expected to closely watch the government's approach to land and industrial policies.

During the Assembly election campaign, state BJP president and Rajya Sabha MP Samik Bhattacharya advocated for reviewing the Land Ceiling Act, arguing that easier access to land was necessary to attract large-scale industrial investments.

Bhattacharya had also spoken in favour of a more industry-friendly policy framework and faster clearances for investment projects, while stressing that industrialisation and employment generation would be among the priorities of the BJP government in the state.