| In a rebuke to the trade unions, especially the CPI(M)-backed Centre for Indian Trade Union, which have been training their guns on the state government for taking a tough line against strikes affecting the information technology sector, IT Minister Manvendra Mukherjee at a seminar here hinted that the state government was in no mood to relent despite mounting pressure from the trade unions. |
| "There is no union in the information technology industry and it is good," Mukherjee said at a seminar on investment prospects in the state, organised by Assocham. |
| His remarks assume significance in the backdrop of the trade unions' attempts to form unions in the IT industry. |
| "Welcome to new West Bengal. The state has transformed from rural economy...in new areas of services and industries in equal measures...one of the fastest growing state with investment friendly atmosphere," he said, adding that "FDI in retail will come to West Bengal". |
| Mukherjee's remarks may come as a blow to the Left-backed trade unions, which have made no bones about their reservation against the policies of the state government. |
| Last September, when the central trade unions had given a call for a nationwide bandh, causing industrial disruptions, especially in the BPO sector, the CM had gone out of the way to express his displeasure. |
| Bhattacharjee had then assured the industries that they would not face such disruptions in future. This, had, however, caused heartburn among his party colleagues associated with the trade unions. |
| Faced with angry union leaders, the CPI(M) had announced that it would come out with a comprehensive document on IT and ITES sectors. |
| With the Chief Minister refusing to relent, the CPI(M) backed out and deferred any debate on this at its Politburo and Central Committee meetings. The party has since been stressing support for right to strike and forming of trade unions but has distanced itself from unions' campaign against the IT and ITES sectors. |
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