West Bengal to unveil new industrial policy on Thursday: What are industry giants expecting?

The much-awaited industrial policy for West Bengal is slated to be unveiled on Thursday. Industrialists are keen to see the finer details of the policy, which the state has lacked since 2025, when the erstwhile Trinamool Congress (TMC) government scrapped incentives.

“Bengal has much to offer businesses looking to grow. We look forward to a new industrial policy that makes it easier to turn investment plans into reality through quicker decisions, simpler processes and time-bound single-window clearances,” said Harshvardhan Neotia, chairman, Ambuja Neotia Group.

Neotia pointed to easier access to industrial land, reliable infrastructure and industry-linked skills, which would further strengthen this momentum. “For me, the most meaningful outcome would be more young people finding job opportunities and openings to start small entrepreneurial ventures."

Mayank Jalan, chairman and managing director, Keventer Group, expressed views similar to Neotia’s, emphasising that a time-bound single-window clearance system would help put West Bengal in the big league. Jalan also said there was a need for more plug-and-play infrastructure in food parks across the state.

“The FMCG and food-processing sector generates huge employment. With a transparent land allotment framework and reliable power for cold chains, Bengal can be the food hub of the East and Northeast. We expect the policymakers to consider the potential and give an electricity tariff waiver or subsidy, as about 40 per cent of power is consumed by the cold chain itself,” said Mayank Jalan.

Sanjay Budhia, managing director, Patton Group, believes there is renewed hope, renewed confidence and all-round positivity as prospective investors and industrialists, not only in Bengal but across the country, are awaiting the industrial policy to translate their investment intentions into implementation. Budhia believes that the first industrial policy of the Suvendu Adhikari government will be a precursor to the big picture unfolding over time.

“The new policy should be a major game-changer for industry, which will have a direct multiplier effect on employment generation, the creation of physical and social infrastructure, livelihoods and the establishment of ancillary units,” said Sanjay Budhia, adding that one of the prime focus areas expected to be addressed in the new industrial policy is the relaxation and simplification of land laws. West Bengal has been affected by anti-land acquisition protests in the past, and acquiring large tracts of land for industrialisation still remains a challenge in many parts of the state.

Other aspects include the announcement of employment-linked incentives, greater emphasis on districts that need faster and more focused support, and a stronger focus on exports, which have huge potential but still require a greater push.

A meeting with Cabinet ministers, prominent industrialists and industry chambers was held on August 12 at the state secretariat, Nabanna, to consider their views before drafting the industrial policy. Industry sentiment has been positive since the new government came to power, particularly because of its push for industrialisation. Despite the wait since August, when the industrial policy was initially expected to be unveiled, industrialists have remained patient as the government works through the complexities involved in formulating a conducive industrial policy.