West Bengal needs a full-fledged R&R policy: ICC

KOLKATA: The Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) on Thursday released a report on 'Involuntary Rehabilitation & Resettlement' which says that the existing rehabiliation and resettlement (R&R) policy of West Bengal government should be converted into full-fledged R&R policy for giving boost to overall industrial growth and social development.

At present, the state government's policy formulated in 2008 by West Bengal Industrial Development Corporation (WBIDC) is applicable to those cases where WBIDC functions as the monitoring and implementing agnecy. The package has largely been formulated keeping in view the various industrial parks the WBIDC is currently setting up across the state.

The ICC panelists felt tha Bengal predominantly being an agriculture-based economy, making land available in the rural and semi-urban areas for new large industrial projects, remains a challenge, and there has to be concerted efforts to implement large industrial projects through participative consultations with all relevant stake holders in the future.

The report also dealt with the National Rehabilitation and Resettlement policy, 2007 of India. ICC recommends that there is a need for conversion to R&R Act/Law from R&R Bill, proactiveness of the bureaucracy, formulation of independent authority under experts, addressing rehabilitation along with resettlement among others.