Mamata Banerjee rejects CPI-M charge of lack of industrialisation in West Bengal

MATHURAPUR: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today rejected the CPI-M's charge that industrialisation in the state had taken a backseat and claimed that in the small-scale sector the TMC government was able to create 12 lakh jobs.

Banerjee said her government was engaged in developing infrastructure in the state because "if there is infrastructure there will be jobs".

"We are developing infrastructure in the state because if there is infrastructure there will be jobs. In the small scale sector we have created 12 lakh jobs," Banerjee said adding "some people say a lot of things but do nothing".

Former chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee had stated yesterday during the CPI-M plenum, "The condition of industrialisation is very bleak. That is why, we have to remove this TMC regime and save Bengal."

Speaking at a programme in South 24-Parganas district, she exhorted her partymen not to walk into the trap of any provocation by the Opposition and said her government was determined to create infrastructure and job creation.

"Hold your head high. Do not give into any provocation or conspiracy by the Opposition to damage the harmony of our state," Banerjee said.

She also claimed credit for giving compensation to flood victims, something which the previous Left Front government had not done.

Turning to annual Gangasagar mela in the district, She said her government had not only withdrawn tax that was collected by the previous government from the pilgrims for visiting the mela, but also started giving insurance to the pilgrims.

"We don't say it but we get things done," she said.