No factories, govt to take back land

TT, 7 Jun 2019, Jalpaiguri: The West Bengal Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (WBIIDC) has served notices on 11 private companies asking them to vacate land they had left unused for years in an industrial estate on the outskirts of Jalpaiguri 

"We have served notices on them as they have either not opened any industrial unit on the plots or have kept the factories closed for many years. Talks have been held at various levels and we have found prospective investors who, if provided with these plots, will set up new industrial units that will generate employment," said Santanu Talukdar, the executive engineer of the WBIIDC posted at the industrial estate in Raninagar 

These 11 entities had been given land in the industrial estate in the late 80s 

The estate was set up in 1984 with the then Left Front government developing infrastructure in the compound that is spread over 148.3 acres. Of this, 122 acres was allocated to 27 companies on lease for 25 years, while the remaining area was used to build roads, a drainage system, water reservoirs and other infrastructure 

The industrial units started coming up in 1990 However, of these 27 sanctioned factories, only 16, including a Coca Cola unit, an LPG refilling plant, a confectionary factory, a bakery and poultry feed manufacturing unit, are operational now 

In due course, the WBIIDV had renewed the leases of the companies 

"Of the remaining 11 companies, some had set up units, but those too have closed down. There are a few who did not build a factory in the estate at all. That is why it has been decided that the land will be taken back from them. There are new entrepreneurs who are asking for land. We can recover 30 to 35 acres from these 11 companies and offer those to the prospective investors," said the WBIIDC official 

Sources in the WBIIDC said some of the 11 companies had taken loans from banks to set up units at the estate but have not cleared the dues 

"The banks have sent letters to us, urging us to take steps so that the dues can be recovered. We have held discussions and it has been decided that the new investor will clear the loan on the basis of an agreement with the old owner and in return get land in the estate," a source said 

Representatives of trade bodies welcomed the move .

"We are aware that a number of commercial units are lying unused at Raninagar. It would be good if land is provided to new entrepreneurs so that the plots can be effectively used to set up factories. It will also help in generation of employment," said Purajit Bakshigupta, general secretary of the North Bengal National Chambers of Commerce and Industries The 

WBIIDC also plans to improve infrastructure at the estate 

"The roads and drainage system will be improved across the estate. There is also a plan to start water harvesting. Also, the entire estate area will be under CCTV surveillance," said Talukdar, the WBIIDC executive engineer.