The >Northbrook incident cast its shadow on Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s meeting with industry in the sylvan surroundings of the Eco Park at Rajarhat on the eastern fringes of the city. The park is a pet project of Ms. Banerjee and was set up amid rolling greeneries and wetlands, as per Ms. Banerjee’s blueprint.
She had decided this time, to take the bi-monthly meeting that she holds with the industry, out of the concrete walls of the secretariat to the Eco-Park. Ms. Banerjee chairs these meetings held under the auspices of the Core Committee of Industries — a government-industry interface she had created soon after coming to power in May 2011. Monday’s meeting was held nearly after six months in view of elections.
The mood on Monday was somewhat sombre and at the outset, Ms. Banerjee expressed grief, leading the observance of a two-minute silence. She later said a resolution would be passed to express the feelings of this meeting, which would be taken to the bereaved family by her industry and Finance Minister Amit Mitra.
“There was a mood of despondency over Sunday’s incident, and at least one industry representative said such incidents might set the State back,” a source present at the 90-minute conclave said. Ms. Banerjee, however, said that her government would not spare anybody and arrests had already been made in the case. “West Bengal will become the best industry destination,” she claimed. Ms. Banerjee said her government would soon consider an export policy and a jute policy. Mr. Mitra then listed the actions taken by the government to boost industry saying that major industry groups like retail major Future Group had announced its projects in the State. “14 (Y) clearance for enabling industry to hold land in excess of land ceiling laws has been given for 7,000 acres,” he said.
He also mentioned the measures taken by the government to allow ease of doing business in the State. “We now have in place a project to track the progress of getting clearances for setting up projects.”
The industry on its part urged Ms. Banerjee to take up the project for improved air connectivity in north Bengal and increased international connectivity.
The industry also suggested that tourism circuits be set up.
