Even after all the talk of Rs 12 lakh crore worth of investment proposals from the five editions of the Bengal Global Business Summit (2015-19), actual investments “were Rs 50,00060,000 crore in the past decade”, says a senior government official on condition of anonymity. “Of this, the Centre’s contribution was around Rs 10,00012,000 crore. As for jobs, around 100,000 were created in big industries and another 300,000 in MSMEs,” adds the official. Ex-industry minister and current finance minister Amit Mitra, however, insists that 40 per cent of said investment proposals are in various stages of implementation.
With a third and decisive election victory under her belt, Mamata Banerjee believes it is time her government made a determined effort to bring industry to the state. A telling declaration of this intent was new industry minister Partha Chatterjee’s statement that the Tatas are among the “most respected business houses in the country and are most welcome to come and invest in Bengal”. A new Tata Centre is coming up at Rajarhat, Kolkata’s IT hub, and the government is tying up with the Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, to upgrade the SSKM Hospital and Medical College.
Mamata knows the 2021 mandate was largely due to her government’s social welfare schemes, but “she also realises that industry needs a big push to create jobs for the youth and stop the drain of human capital from the state”, says the industry minister. To this end, she is expanding the scope of IT and ITES, which, as per government claims, have seen a five-fold increase from 500 to 2,600 units and a doubling of exports (Rs 29,000 crore in 2018-19) and employment generation (from 90,000 to 210,000 jobs) in the past 10 years.
This story is from the September 27, 2021 edition of India Today.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the September 27, 2021 edition of India Today.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
BJP's Big Paschim Test
On paper, the BJP-RLD tie-up is a winner for the NDA in west UP, though the INDIA bloc thinks otherwise. The BSP's entry with mixed candidates can unsettle both alliances
Why Gen V Matters
The Way The 210 Million-Strong Generation Viksit Bharat Casts Its Vote Will Determine The Outcome Of This Election As It Has In The Past
Heart Stopper
Cushions with tales of beauty, serenity, art and nature
THE NIPPON NARRATIVE
Say konnichiwa to good design and sayōnara to bad aesthetics, as this apartment in Bangalore is a lesson in how to use Japanese design effectively
RURAL RESPLENDENCE
This second home in a small village in Uttar Pradesh brings to life the beauty and simplicity of locally sourced materials
Curves in the Right Places
Arches may be taking over interior design, but how and where you place them in your home can make or mar the look of the room
Marvels in Mud
Here's how this humble material is changing the way we look at eco-friendly homes in India
DESIGN FOR THE AGES
Five homes, five distinct design styles that help decode how to curate age-appropriate spaces
TAKE FIVE
FROM RUGS TO CUSHIONS, THESE DECOR PIECES WILL GIVE YOUR INTERIORS AN INSTANT MAKEOVER THIS SEASON
TRENDY TABLESCAPES
At the turn of the season, three fashion labels throw a soiree that is stylish, suave and sophisticated