Rs 13,000 crore investment to provide 2 lakh jobs: Mamata

Kolkata: Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday announced a slew of industrial projects involving an investment of Rs 13,000 crore that is tipped to create employment for almost two lakh people.

"Our state is the safest place for investment and so IT majors, namely Wipro and Infosys, are coming here. These industrial and MSME projects will come up on 1633 acre land which involves an investment of Rs 13,000 crore. There will be the employment of 2 lakh people in these projects," she said at Howrah's Nabanna Sabhagar event where she laid foundation stones and inaugurated a host of projects.

The Chief Minister added: "I am very much against sitting with placards protesting in front of factory gates and hosting agitations. The factories should run and if there is any discontent on the part of the employees, it can be resolved through talks. Stalling of work is not a solution. The owner and the employee should work hand-in-hand to solve any crisis."

Banerjee also took the opportunity to hit out at the saffron party (without taking any name) and said that Bengal does not believe in violence and anarchy. "There should be competition on the basis of work shunning the path of anarchy and violence. If there is a split in communities in a factory then how can it run," she questioned.

Banerjee further added that people who had once turned away from the state are coming back with development of Bengal taking place by leaps and bounds. "This is a pride for Bengal. We have a commitment towards the common people and also towards the industry. We want industries to come here."

Referring to the recession in the country, Banerjee said many industries are closing down with the automobile sector being the worse hit. "Bengal has registered the highest GDP growth in the country and recently we have created the potential for five lakh jobs at the Bantala Leather Complex," she added.

The Chief Minister also stressed on revamping the existing single window system of the state government. "There should be a nodal officer and officials of the government departments to expedite projects. The mechanism should be extended to the district levels also," Banerjee said emphasizing on quick issuance of fire license and other necessary clearances for business ventures.

Among the projects, Banerjee handed over some possessions to units at the Gems and Jewellery Park at Ankurhati and announced several projects including the hosiery park in Jagadishpur, foundry park at Ranihati, chemical park in Jagatballavpur, mini foundry park at Jagatballavpur and multimodal logistics park in Sankrail. The investment at the logistics park alone will be more than Rs 600 crore and more than 3,500 people will be getting employed.

Banerjee also inaugurated the newly constructed head office of the state Food and Supplies department and a digital library bringing 21,500 books to the public domain. A total of 90 passenger shelters under the PWD were also unveiled.

The commissioning of Phase I and foundation stone laying of Phase II of South City Anmol Infra Park and the announcement regarding setting up of Regent SME Industrial Park was also made from the venue.