Land not the only issue for industrialisation: WB

The West Bengal government today maintained that though it would not get involved in acquiring land for industry, it was not the only issue for promoting industrialisation."Why only land? Poor infrastructure, poor connectivity and poor logistics are also crucial issues which will have to be addressed,"

Commerce and Industry minister Partha Chatterjee told Ficci members at the chamber's national executive meet here. Owing poor physical infrastructure, most industries preferred to set up along national highways, he noted.

On the issue of land, he said that it was concern for the industry and under no circumstances, the government would get into the matter. It would have to be directly acquired by the industry.

Replying to the queries, Chatterjee said the state government had undertaken a study to assess the quantum of land locked up in closed units of private and public sectors.

He also urged the industry to invest in backward districts of the state like Purulia, Bankura, West Midnapore and in North Bengal.

Food processing, textiles, iron and steel, petrochemicals, gems and jewellery and traditional craftsmanship were the areas where the state was seeking capital, he said.

Prominent Ficci members who attended the meet were Marico chairman Harsh Mariwala, HSBC head Naina Lal Kidwai, Britannia CEO Vinita Bali and former presidents of the chamber among others.