Investments in WB not possible without development: Shah

Hitting out at the West Bengal government over Saradha scam and the law and order situation, BJP president Amit Shah today said the state cannot hope for investments unless an atmosphere of development existed in the state.
Stressing on building a pro-development atmosphere, Shah said, "If more than investments, money of the common man is swindled in the Saradha Chit fund scam, then there can't be development. If there are bomb blasts everyday and it creates an atmosphere of fear and suspicion, there can't be development."
Speaking at a programme at the Indian Chamber Of Commerce, Shah said there was a time when West Bengal was a leader in many areas, but not so today.

"Bengal was one of the leading states in the country, but after 68 years of Independence you can see where it has reached. There has been a long communist rule in Bengal and at the end of it Trinamool Congress came to power with much hope. However, people got only disappointment," Shah said
"If the law and order situation is not good, you can't have investments. I hope the state government will take initiatives in making the environment of the state conducive for development," Shah added.
Noting that the NITI Aayog's purpose was to bring all states together and usher in a comprehensive development for the country, Shah said the development schemes would not be able to bear fruit if the atmosphere was not conducive to development.

"The NITI Aayog was formed to bring all states together irrespective of governments and political parties heading them to usher in a new development for India. We are eager to help the states prosper," he said.

The Modi government, he said, wants the eastern region of the country to prosper for overall development of the country.
"Under the recommendation of the 14th Finance Commission, Bengal is getting Rs 2.85 lakh crore. This is about only Bengal but if you talk about the eastern states, then around Rs 6.5 lakh crore will be given to the states," the BJP president said.

"But the proper utilisation of this money is the duty of the respective state governments," he added.
West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee had recently been on a five-day visit to the UK to attract investments for the state.