January 16, 2013
Chief Minister inagutares Bengal Leads 2013, says Bengal in mood to lead
West Bengal Chief Minister Ms. Mamata Banerjee inaugurated the Bengal Leads 2013 at Haldia in East Midnapore on Tuesday. The tree-day-long summit will showcase various the development works that has taken place in Bengal State over the last one and half years. This will be done through seminars, symposiums, fairs and presentations. A large number of delegates from business fraternity and industry captains from India and abroad will attend the summit.
The major attraction of the Bengal Leads 2013 was the question answer session where the Chief Minister took questions from the business fraternity. During this session the representatives raised various issues and the Chief Minister gave patient hearing to them and promised to look into the issues in order to resolve the issues. Many among the business fraternity also came up with ideas and suggestions in order to develop Bengal. The Chief Minister also informed that that the State Government has already cleared the Land Policy over the Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) module.
Speaking on this occasion the Chief Minister replying to question on why Bengal was behind Gujarat on development front said that she said, `I am happy that Gujarat is developing but the situation in both the states are different and one need to realize this gap`. The Chief Minister said that Gujarat was having a smooth development unlike Bengal since there is no dirty politics among the opposition there which will create blockades and obstacles on the way of development. ` I want to give so many concessions to my industrialist friends but my hands are empty. The problem in Bengal has been ruined by the single-party rule in the past 35-years. The State Government is having a legacy of a huge debt and due to this burden the Government is unable to dole out any concessions to industry. The State is in a serious financial mess`, she said. `We want a three-year moratorium on at least 50% of our debt burden, I will hold another industrial meeting at Mumbai and after that I will seek an appointment with the Prime Minister`, added the Chief Minister.
The Chief Minister said that Bengal may be low on finance, the State domestic product growth surpassed the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in two-quarters of 2012-13. Added this was a significant decrease in the number of `mandays` lost from 68 lakh in 2011-11 to 5,000 till end of 2012 till the Trinamool Congress came to power in the State.
The Chief Minister in her official facebook wrote:
`Bengal Leads, 2013, the second edition of the annual business summit and exhibition showcasing Bengal initiated by our Government, was inaugurated today at Haldia in a packed house of captains of industry, representatives of chambers of commerce and industry, diplomatic core from consulates and various other dignitaries. I am indeed obliged and privileged and thank them all for being with us. My entire Paschimbanga paribar was present on the occasion to welcome them.
Bengal, despite negative coverage by certain sections of the media, has exceptionally strong fundamentals that are perfectly poised to make the state the ultimate destination of investment and entrepreneurship.
Today 12 companies were handed over land for setting up industrial units with substantial investment. Also as many as 27 industrial units have received clearances of holding land beyond ceiling limits under section 14Y in a quick time frame.
No other state has ever inherited a legacy of debt burden of Rs 2 lakh 30 thousand crore. On this account, the RBI deducts every month Rs. 25,000 crore towards interest and repayment obligation.
Despite overwhelming adversities, the fact remains that while India grew by 5.5 percent in the first quarter of 2012-13, Bengal grew by 8.08 percent in the same quarter. In the second quarter, Bengal grew by 6.48 percent as against all India growth of 5.3 percent. Our work culture has improved remarkably which is evident from the massive reduction in mandays' loss from 68 lakhs in 2009-10 to 66 lakhs in 2010-11 to 60,000 in 2011-12 to only 5000 till date in 2012-13.
It is important to note that Bengal has increased revenue earning from Rs. 21,000 crore in 2010-11 to Rs. 31,000 crore in 2012-13 as projected, which could even be exceeded finally.
Today`s industrial meet has been historic and very successful. It shows Bengal will no doubt be the destination for investment in the country.
We are fully committed to extend total support to everyone who is willing to do business in Bengal`.
The Chief Minister informed that the Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) and National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) have already taken the initiative to invest in Bengal. She also informed that all the Railway projects instituted by her as Union Railways Minister were almost near completion while a few are already complete.
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