No syndicate raj in north: Ghosh

TT, Siliguri: Minister Rabindranath Ghosh on Thursday evening asserted that there were no syndicates in north Bengal and assured entrepreneurs that the state government would stand by them in case they faced any problem in setting up or running industrial units.

The north Bengal development minister was speaking at the annual day function of the NB zonal council of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).

"We want to make it clear that there is no syndicate raj in north Bengal. There were times when private investors would feel discouraged to invest in the region. They had several apprehensions. But we have managed to change the situation and these days, no investor would face any problem in setting up an industry here. In case he confronts any hurdle, the state will be there by his side and help resolve it," said Ghosh.

The assertion from Ghosh comes at a time a number of incidents of highhandedness by syndicates -- cartels run by Trinamul-backed youths which are engaged in supplying construction materials and workers -- have been reported in some parts of north Bengal, particularly in certain areas of Jalpaiguri district which are close to Siliguri.

Even on Wednesday, an Inttuc leader and some of his associates were accused of assaulting a tea factory owner and the manager during an altercation.