West Bengal chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee today made a comeback in the industry body circuit after a hiatus of about two years.
Presiding over a meeting with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) National Council members, Bhattacharjee gave a patient hearing to the problems raised, as in the old days, when he was a favourite with all trade and industry bodies.
A large number of members raised the issue of agricultural retail marketing. The chief minister informed the West Bengal government was ready to give a gradual consideration to the agricultural retail marketing which had so far not received government encouragement.
“Our policy has been not to encourage big corporate houses in retailing. There is a huge market mechanism involved and thousands of people employed. But we are changing our policy gradually,” he said.
West Bengal happens to be one of the highest producers of vegetables in India. Last year, the state produced 1.8 million tonnes of vegetables. The state, however, was yet to amend the Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) Act, which would enable direct procurement from farmers.
Post-pullout of Tata Motors from Singur, this was one of the most high-profile industry meets held in the city. Just about two years back, Tata Motors had pulled out its Nano project from Singur after a violent agitation led by Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee, now Railway minister.
Bhattacharjee today said that Singur was a forgotten chapter. “Post-Singur in West Bengal, 6,000 acres has been acquired in Purulia and North 24 Parganas through voluntary submission of land for development purpose,” Bhattacharjee said.
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The industry expressed some apprehension about Naxalite attacks in the state. Bhattacharjee assured them that the government would defeat them politically and administratively.
Even as the chief minister attempted to appease the industry, he tried his best to strike a balance between agriculture and industry, ahead of the assembly elections next year.
“The government of India should implement land reforms. Excess land should be distributed to small farmers,” Bhattacharjee said.
When a member said that the farmers’ sons do not want to till land, Bhattacharjee said, they should be encouraged to take up jobs. It must have been music to Bhattacharjee’s ears. The chief minister had been citing this as the main reason behind the state’s industrialisation drive.
“People want to move from villages to cities. The young should be encouraged to take up jobs. India is changing from agriculture to industry,” he said. One change that the chief minister chose not to mention was the possible changing pattern of political leadership in the state.