Bengal CM draws line on ties with industrialists facing ED CBI probes promises investors' security

    Kolkata, Nov 5 (PTI) West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Thursday invited investors to the state, promising a secure and business-friendly environment, but made it clear that he would not maintain official working relationships with industrialists facing investigations by central agencies or allegations of bank fraud.

    Speaking at the launch of the state's investment promotion policy, Adhikari said he would not engage in official dealings with those facing cases lodged by the Enforcement Directorate or the Central Bureau of Investigation, or accused of misappropriating funds from public sector banks and committing bank fraud.

    “If I meet them face to face, I will greet them and say hello. But as chief minister, it will not be possible to maintain a working relationship with them,” he said, distinguishing between personal courtesies and official relationships.

    The chief minister, however, did not name any individual or business group, nor did he specify how the proposed position would be implemented.

    His remarks came in the presence of industry representatives and business leaders at a programme that aimed at attracting fresh investments and generating employment through a package of incentives for companies.

    The new industrial policy provides support for employers' contributions to employees' provident fund (EPF) for eligible companies, additional incentives for hiring women, and benefits for investments in economically underdeveloped regions.

    It also seeks to streamline the application process by ensuring that proposals are processed within stipulated timelines.

    Seeking to address concerns over the business environment, Adhikari assured industrialists that his government would take a firm stand against extortion and any attempts to obstruct industrial and commercial activities.

    “Anyone named in an extortion complaint would be arrested within 15 minutes,” the CM said, asserting that there would be no compromise on maintaining law and order.

    The assurance assumes significance as industrialists have often flagged extortion, political interference, often of a militant nature, and disruptions to the movement of goods as concerns affecting business operations in the state.

    Adhikari also claimed that extortion at toll plazas in Dankuni and Durgapur had been stopped, adding that toll plazas across Bengal were being monitored from a control room in Salt Lake near Kolkata.

    “The monitoring mechanism is aimed at preventing illegal collections and ensuring the smooth movement of goods vehicles,” he said.

    Toll-related disruptions and unauthorised collections can add to transportation costs and affect supply chains, particularly for manufacturing units dependent on the regular movement of raw materials and finished products.

    Observers said the chief minister's address sought to convey a two-pronged message to the business community that the government would offer financial incentives and administrative support to attract investments, while taking a tough stand against extortion and other impediments to industrial activities.

    At the same time, they said, Adhikari intended to draw a distinction between the government's engagement with legitimate investors and its official dealings with those facing agency probe or fraud allegations.

(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)