West Bengal’s industry-friendliness at a low

In the latest analysis of industrial friendliness in the country, Gujarat stands at the No 1 position while West Bengal languishes at the 11th position. This, in spite of chief minister Mamata Banerjee’s trips to Singapore and London to woo investors apart from holding Bengal Leads events. Needless to say, she did have crowds but not the investments.
It is a fact that the industrial climate in the state had soured up over a period of time because of problems like load shedding and labor unrest and, while the load shedding did come within control, industries, unable to cope up with regular agitation by labor unions, fled from the state. The fingers of accusation were pointed towards the left front which was in power in the state for over three decades. Bandhs were the order of the day and, coupled with the pathetic condition of infrastructure and commination, investors avoided West Bengal.

However, finally, West Bengal decided to make a new start and bring back industries to the state. It was expected that Tata Motors, with its Nano small car project, would be the magic wand to revive industrialization in West Bengal. And – for a project of such a huge magnitude, the important factor was land.
Well – that was also done in Singur and it was felt that the factory, along with ancillary industries, would help the state to recover. Tata Motors had arranged to train the youth so that they could get absorbed in the factory once production started. The locals also were hopeful that the factory would allow them to prosper in their own ways – like small time shopkeepers, tea stalls, and markets.
Their needs were not much but Mamata Banerjee, the firebrand leader, put a spoke in the wheels of change – as a result Nano, like other industries, fled to Gujarat and, today Gujarat has captured the top spot that could have been Bengal’s. (to be continued …)
(Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org)

Some more interesting 'must reads'-

City of Jinan to eliminate all dogs even if they are registered pets and vaccinated

Two foreign tourists killed as Kalka-Shimla toy train derails

Molesters flee bleeding from the clutches of a karate girl in Barasat, West Bengal


Ringo Starr, Beatles drummer, bemoans the decline in the music industry

Lindsay Lohan fails to keep her date with Toronto Film Festival

Kangana Ranaut in Paris for ‘Queen’ hates actors endorsing fairness creams


This is the age of drone warfare - pick and eliminate the jihadists from miles away

RAF readies to strike ISIS in Syria to check flow of refugees into Europe

Russia’s game plan not clear – it sends Pantsir-S missile system to Syria


Bengalis are a politically conscious lot

Rasgulla, the juice-dripping sweet that Bengalis swear by

Bengalis are daydreamers tied to mothers’ apron strings