 "West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee with industrialists during Bengal Global Business Summit in Kolkata")
“We don’t want to harass the industrialists. Our appeal is to all governments not to harass industrialists. Let them be in peace so that their flags fly high. I cannot go for raids every day. Sometimes I have the power, but I cannot bulldoze you. We have to see that businessmen also have flexible space. We have to give them mind relaxation so that they can come up with a vision. If they always think that oh god tax people are coming then they will be afraid," she told industrialists, most of which hailed from Kolkata.
The rationale according to Banerjee was that if industry flourishes then money would flow. “If money flows then the country will be benefitted."
She however made a distinction from black money. "Black money is different. If you can bring back the black money and use it for development, we will be very honoured.”
The message for a tax friendly government was for all states. Banerjee then said that she would make the beginning and assured industrialists, “My government will not harass a single industry. If there is any problem, we will negotiate and give you time to sort it out. Politicians should have an open mind so that it touches the heart. From Bengal, we will not allow anyone to disturb you.”
The message from the Summit for the business community was clear, “Let us work together.”
Banerjee said, investment proposals amounting to Rs 2,50,000 were already there. “These are concrete proposals.” However, company-wise breakup for the same were not available though Chief Minister mentioned some of them: TCG Rs 20,000 crore, Zhongtong Rs 1,500 crore, Shree Cement Rs 500 crore, Ambuja Cement Rs 350 crore, Great Eastern Rs 1,700 crore.
Last year, the state had bagged investment proposals amounting to Rs 2,43,000 crore. Much of that was from the Centre or central PSUs.
“Bengal is the destination for industrial growth today, it is the gateway for Asian countries. I have not counted all the proposals. It will take some time. But very conservatively it is Rs 2,50,104 crore. These are investment proposals already in hand,” she said.
The Summit, according to to the Chief Minister, was excellent, fabulous, superb. “All captains of the industry were there, Mukesh Ambani, Subhash Chandra, Sajjan Jindal, Rakesh Bharati Mittal. It was the best business conclave in India. Next year it will be even better,” she said. The dates for next year's Summit has already been fixed for January 20 and January 21.
“Our target is to make West Bengal the number one investment destination in India,” said the Chief Minister. From Banerjee's side she has assured that she would not interfere with industry.
“I was in the Opposition also, but we never disturbed industrialists, it is not in our nature,” she said.
The agitation at Singur in the state against the Nano project was, of course, more than seven years back.
