West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today inaugurated a cement plant at Salboni belonging to the Jindal Steel Works Group’s.
JSW’s cement plant marks the revival of the biggest investment proposal in Bengal since Independence -Rs 35,000 crore for an integrated steel, power and cement plant -would attract over Rs 800 crore.
The company plans to set up a 2.4 MT cement grinding unit followed by a 300 MW captive power plant at Salboni, involving a total investment of Rs 2,700 crore.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister thanked the Jindals for their initiative. “Development cannot take place by force, it needs to be done with love,” she said.
“We will set up a 300 bedded multi super hospital in Salboni in addition to an ITI & polytechnic college. This area will shine in days to come,” she added.
She said that Jindals wanted to expand their industries in Salboni but iron-ore was a problem. “There should be a national iron ore policy, it will bring about parity and ease the business process,” the CM said.
Reiterating that Jangalmahal is smiling, the Chief Minister added that Bengal is surging ahead in every sphere:
- Gross Value Added (GVA) of India is 7.5% and that of Bengal is 10.5%
- The increase in Per Capita Income in 2014-15 in West Bengal is 12.84% while that of India is 6.1%
- The increase in Industry in 2014-15 in West Bengal stands at 8.34% while that of India is 5.6%
- The growth in Agriculture, Forestry and Fishery in 2014-15 has been 6.49% while that of India is 1.1%
She also highlighted the social sector intiatives of the state:
- 7.7 crore people have been brought under the Food Security Scheme. Rice & wheat is being given at Rs 2 per kg
- There are 31 lakh Kanyashrees & around 40 lakh cycles being given under Sabuj Sathi
- 58,000 artists will get a pension of Rs 1000 as well as opportunities in government programmes
She concluded her speech with the hope that lives of the local people will transform in the days to come.