Paswan to bend PCPIR rules for Bengal

The Union ministry of chemicals and fertilizers is ready to bend rules for the petroleum, chemical, petrochemical investment region (PCPIR) for West Bengal.

Addressing the media, Ram Vilas Paswan, Union minister for chemicals and fertilizers said, the processing area as submitted by the West Bengal government was around 100 square km with non-processing area of 64 square km.

The PCPIR norm is that the processing area must be around 250 square km. He was speaking on the sidelines of the Steel Conference 2008, organized by the Millennium Institute of Energy & Environment Management.

However, Paswan said, "I have always been generous to the West Bengal government and we will make concessions in the interest of the public."

He cited the example of Kulti Works, which was to be shut down, and was now being revived at what he said was his personal behest. According to the minister, the West Bengal government was yet to submit its final project report for the PCPIR.

Apart from Nayachar, the new location for the proposed PCPIR, the investment region would also include the petrochemical industries in adjacent Haldia.

"So far, we have received final reports from Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat, final reports from West Bengal, Karnataka and Orissa were awaited," said Paswan.

Once the final report is submitted, following approval from the ministry, it would go to the high powered committee.

The Union ministry has asked the West Bengal government to demarcate the land for PCPIR.

Paswan also said, the investment from the state on Centre in the West Bengal PCPIR would be around Rs 7,500 crore.

The central government would create the infrastructure like highways and airports while the state government would invest in electricity, water, among others.