Kolkata: Bengal’s newly elected BJP govt is planning to hold its first industry conclave in the next three to four months, possibly in Sept, according to officials, who said the govt was focused on projects that can be implemented quickly following announcements.“We plan to hold an industry conclave before or soon after Durga Puja. The exact schedule and dates will be decided by CM Suvendu Adhikari,” state commerce and industry minister Tapas Roy told TOI. Durga Puja, this year, will be celebrated from Oct 18-21.The govt intends to use the summit to announce at least three or four industrial and infrastructural investments that may involve land acquisition, senior govt officials said. The govt has already hinted that because of the fragmented nature of land parcels in the state, it might have to intervene to attract industry.Additionally, the state budget has proposed the development of a comprehensive land bank by identifying and reclaiming industrial land lying unused with PSUs and other govt entities.“Similarly, plots allotted in industrial estates that remain unutilised beyond the agreed upon period will be reviewed and may be reclaimed by the govt. The reclaimed land will be pooled into the state’s land bank and made available to prospective investors,” a senior state govt official said.The previous Trinamool govt had organised eight Bengal Global Business Summits to attract investment. CM Suvendu Adhikari has repeatedly questioned the expenditure incurred on such summits and the limited conversion of investment proposals into projects on the ground.Echoing the CM, Roy said, “Our govt does not believe in pomp and show. It believes in substance.” The state govt has already announced that it will bring in a new incentive policy, earmarking Rs 5,000 crore for it in the budget.“The govt is expected to deliberate on the incentive policy in detail, outlining areas to incentivise the industries at the conclave. The govt also intends to revive the Rs 20,000 crore industrial subsidy programme, which was discontinued by the previous Trinamool govt,” another senior official said.The CM had recently said that several investment proposals had already been submitted to the West Bengal Industrial Development Corporation, and the industry department is currently evaluating the proposals with emphasis on financial credibility of investors and the likelihood of the projects being implemented within a defined timeline.
