CII plans to rein in trade unionism

The Confederation of Indian Industry (eastern region) [CII (ER)] has embarked on a new initiative to bring trade unionism under control in West Bengal.

The newly elected committee would try to hold a series of interactive sessions with trade unions to thrash out their problem, as also to work out ways and means to increase productivity.

The first such meeting would be with Kali Ghosh, secretary general, CITU , said Ravi Poddar, CII (ER) chairman.

The move was in sync with CII (ER)'s focus for the year, which was "Sustainable growth in the east: Focus on SMEs". CII would aim to promote a strong, consolidated and competitive SME base in the region.

This according to Poddar, would boost the local economy in rural centres, generate employment, promote entrepreneurship and drive innovation through local technology and products.

"Improving the efficiency of the smaller industry units will also add to improving the industrial climate in the eastern region" he added.

CII also planned to set up a task force for revival of sick units. "Unless there is viability, industry cannot survive" said Poddar.

The focus on SMEs, however, would not overshadow CII's current and existing initiatives of work across sectors like services, knowledge, agro, IT, telecom, logistics, infrastructure, exports, among others.

CII would also partner with the state governments to jointly address the issues of perception amongst the investors' community, thereby promoting the region.

Bhushan Raina, deputy chairman CII(ER) said, CII intends to conduct roadshows for broadbasing its membership in the new centres of growth in the eastern region.

The roadshows would help in expanding CII's scope of work to new centres like Kharagpur, Durgapur, Haldia, Balasore, Siliguri, Ranchi, among others.

Biswadip Gupta, chairman CII West Bengal State Council said, CII would continue to promote growth and diversification of West Bengal's economy. The State Council would conduct business missions to the districts for assessing the scope for growth in the rural economy.

Among other new focus areas for CII (ER) was housing. Poddar said, new programmes would be conducted on housing. A housing core group had also been formed.

Foreign missions would also be led from the eastern region to Bhutan, China, Myanmar and Thailand.