West Bengal is now considered as one of the most attractive destinations for investment as a result of its pro-industrial policy initiatives and its promotional activities, State Commerce and Industries Minister Amit Mitra has said
Since its coming to office to in May 2011, the government received investment proposals worth Rs 1.2 lakh crore with a projected employment for about 3.5 lakhs, the Minister said, moving the industry budget in the Assembly.
Elaborating, he said that 296 projects with an investment of over Rs. 78,000 crore and employment potential of 1.5 lakh had either been implemented or are in the process of implementation. “The government is continuously monitoring the same for early completion. The foundry park at Panchla and Jagatbahallavpur in Howrah is expected to attract Rs. 2500 crore investment with direct employment of 30,000. Rubber parks in the same district will attract Rs. 1,500 crore investment, according to the Minister.
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With the Singur land agitation continuing to cast its shadow on the Mamata Banerjee government’s image as an investor-friendly government, Mr. Mitra dwelt at length on land issues while saying that the government had so far released Rs. 8.22 crore for giving Rs. 2,000 ex gratia to each land loser family at Singur.
On the land issue, he said the process for clearance of proposals for setting up industries had been expedited under section 14 (Y) of the West Bengal Land Reforms Act, 1955. The State government approved seven projects, which were given permission to hold over 2,000 acres. He said 13 more such cases were now under the consideration of the Land department. The Minister said that during 2013-14, the government had released Rs. 306.9 crore towards disbursement of incentives.