Having taken a strong stand against FDI in multi-brand retail, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee attempted to repair her government’s anti-reform image and send out a message that it was industry and investor-friendly at an industry meet held here.
Around 42 CEOs and CMDs attended the two-hour interaction session, according to state finance minister Amit Mitra. Banerjee,. The CM and industry minister Partho Chatterjee had to contend with an overwhelming number of queries on contentious issues like availability of land for industry, infrastructure and law and order situation in the state.
The CM assured that acquisition of land wouldn’t be a problem for setting up of industries as the government has a land bank and any other plots could be acquired by the industry itself. She also said that there are no law and order issues. Banerjee, however, conceded that infrastructure needs to be developed.
The session was marked by some drama when industry captain Pawan Munjal of the HeroGroup walked out in the middle of the meeting, and on his way out told the gathering mediapersons outside that he was not considering investing in Bengal at the moment.
The matter apparently came to a head when Munjal quizzed the CM about FDI in retail — a political hot button issue for the ruling Trinamool Congress. Sore, at being discouraged to speak, he ‘excused’ himself from the meeting, saying he has some work to attend, it is learnt.
Both Banerjee and Mitra claimed the meeting ended on a positive note, but no concrete investments plans were on offer except a commitment for Rs 500 crore cement grinding project to be set up in Salboni (Jungle Mahal) by Punit Dalmia.
Many of the Kolkata-based industry heads, however, lauded the Banerjee government for creating a positive atmosphere for industrial growth in the state.
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