West Bengal to Become Financially Strong in One or Two Years, Says Chief Minister

PTI, August 6, 2026, Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Thursday said the state would become financially strong in the next one or two years and make rapid strides across sectors, asserting that his government was creating a business-friendly environment to boost industrial growth.

Inaugurating the Kolkata Couture Expo at Milan Mela here, Adhikari announced that he would lay the foundation stone for a Rs 4,000-crore steel plant in Purulia on August 17.

He said ground-breaking ceremonies for new industrial projects were being held every month and the government would hand over land to at least 25 industries within a month.

"West Bengal will become financially strong in the next one or two years and make rapid strides in every sector. We will hand over land to at least 25 industries within a month," he said.

Adhikari highlighted that his government has introduced a land procurement policy for setting up new enterprises.

The Chief Minister said that Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, during a meeting with him in the national capital earlier this week, said the Centre wanted to develop the state's tea and textile sectors.

She extensively toured the textile hubs in Nadia and Purba Bardhaman districts during the Assembly elections and noted their rich diversity, he said.

"She will visit the state again between August 24 and 28," he said.

"There is a huge unemployment problem in West Bengal, but the state is rich in human resources, education, and a skilled workforce," the Chief Minister said.

He said that proper utilisation of these resources by the government and businesses will help improve the state's condition.

"A roadmap must be created to bring West Bengal out of the poor condition it is in now," the Chief Minister said.

Stating that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has initiated several measures to alleviate the state's condition, Adhikari said that the PM inaugurated and laid the foundation for several projects on the statehood day on June 20.

"The law and order situation of the state has to be fixed," he said, maintaining that changes in that direction are already evident in the BJP government's nearly 100-day rule in Bengal.

The Chief Minister said the state will move forward with a business-friendly environment, a good industrial policy, a single-window clearance system and land provision.

"I want to assure you there will be no goondaism," he asserted.

Adhikari assured that the West Bengal Government would extend all help to the textile industry, stating that existing laws will be changed if necessary.

He also asked the textile industry to come up with concrete proposals in this regard.

Pointing to the state's outstanding debt of Rs 8 lakh crore left behind by the previous government, he said that audits of the finances of various departments had not been carried out for years.

"Despite foul-mouthing of the Centre by the previous dispensation, the Union government gave 90 per cent of GST funds based on the assumption (of utilisation)," Adhikari said.

He said that a business and industry-friendly environment, by ensuring law and order, has been initiated in the state by the BJP government.