N Bengal: Didi’s business call

SNS, Siliguri, 19 January 2015: “If we do a good job, people will support us. If the people reject us, what’s the problem?” Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said here today.

Addressing the ‘Industry Meet-2015’ at Uttarkanya, the first-of-its-kind effort in the Trinamul regime for industrial development in north Bengal, the CM came down heavily on the media and said: “A section is always criticizing the government. You must criticize the government for wrong things, but be positive for the development of Bengal, don’t do anything destructive.”

“When people will reject, it does not matter, but why are you canvassing about rejection?” Miss Banerjee said, adding: “The state was lagging behind in the last 34 years. Now we need support for development.” According to her, the state is ready to extend support for basic infrastructure for industries. “Those who are doing business globally and across the country should do for north Bengal,” she said, citing an example of a free gift that a trader gives for big purchases.

“Big industrialists can also set up a small industrial unit for north Bengal,” she added.“Why are we depending on other states for fish, onion and other products?” she wondered.She further announced that her government will set up a “unique centre” at Uttarkanya so that industrialists can get facilities from there through a single-window system for setting up medium, small and micro-level industries. She asked her chief secretary to do the needful so that the unit can start functioning here soon.

The CM also declared that an appeal and revision board under the Commercial Tax Department would start functioning from Himanchal Vihar at Matigara in Siliguri for traders in north Bengal.“Businessmen do not need to go to Kolkata for this,” she said, following suggestions from the finance minister Amit Mitra.