The BJP is reportedly confident in the challenge of bringing back industry to West Bengal, even as it carries out other developmental projects. One month after Suvendu Adhikari took over the helm of affairs in the state, he said they would try to ‘bring the Tatas back to West Bengal’.
However, the Tata family might not be returning to the same land in Singur, which was deemed no longer cultivable or suitable for industry. The land has been given back to lawful landowners.
“We will get Tatas here again. The Singur land is not with the government now, as it has been given back to farmers, which is no longer cultivable or can be used,” Suvendu Adhikari said.
The Tata Motors Nano car factory was to be set up on 997 acres of land in Singur, which was marred by anti-land acquisition protests spearheaded by Mamata Banerjee and the Trinamool Congress in 2006. The Tatas exited West Bengal in 2008, and Mamata came to power in 2011. During her 15-year term, big industrialists did not come to Bengal.
On land acquisition, Adhikari said the government will purchase the land and not create a protest-like situation like what occurred in Nandigram and Singur during the CPIM’s rule. He also said that he wouldn't keep industry away like during Mamata Banerjee’s rule.
The CM also referred to the existing land acquisition law, saying, “The land is not being given entirely by the government; people are also giving land, those who love the country.” Adhikari gave the example of land acquired and handed over to the Border Security Force (BSF) for fencing of the international borders.
Despite the goal of ushering in industry, Adhikari also said there will be checks on the intent of the industrialists meeting Adhikari, whether it is a courtesy visit or a meeting with a mission to set up a new industry. Background checks will also be done on the industrialists to see if they are involved in bank fraud or other unscrupulous activities before considering their proposals.
The CM also brought up money laundering issues in the former Trinamool Congress (TMC) government during the annual Bengal Global Business Summit (BGBS), a gathering to showcase Bengal’s potential to industrialists and initiate the way forward. He said that an investigation will be initiated, saying, “During Mamata Banerjee’s time, Rs 635 crores were given to an event management company. An investigation will be done for money laundering; we will not leave anyone.”
