Mamata Banerjee's meeting with the chambers of commerce is likely to turn out to be an event to test waters, as the industrialists are wary of annoying the Railway Minister with uncomfortable issues.
Banerjee is scheduled to meet representatives from the different chambers of commerce on August 21, and the event has already created ripples in the political and industrial circles here in Bengal. It is being seen as an effort on the Trinamool chief's part to revamp her image among the industrialists in the state ahead of the 2011 Assembly elections. She is now keen to do damage control after the Trinamool Congress(TMC)-led agitation forced the 'famous' Tata Nano out of the state.
The Confederation of Indian Industry(CII) regional director, Saugat Mukherjee said, "It will be an interactive session. We want to hear from her, and know about the TMC chief's point of view on various issues". CII is bringing in its national Railway Committee members here for the meet.
C K Dhanuka, chairman of FICCI-eastern region council, felt that the matters announced in the Railway Budget could be discussed during the interaction.He feels that the Metro Railway that recently got extended till Garia from Tollygunge, could be expanded beyond Tollygunge. "The expansion of the Metro Railways would help to urbanise these areas", he said.
But almost all the chambers that Business Standard spoke to said on grounds of anonymity that they were least likely to discuss issues related to land acquisition or purchase with the Minister. "We do not want to annoy the minister. We are more keen to hear what she has to say", they said.