Kolkata: A group of ministers (GoM) constituted by Bengal govt on Thursday approved the final draft of the state’s new industrial policy, which aims to attract fresh investments and ease the process of setting up industries.According to industry department sources, the policy will have special incentives for companies with registered offices in Bengal. State govt will pay outstanding incentives — believed to exceed Rs 10,000 crore — that were revoked by the previous govt in tranches, with MSMEs getting priority.AI, semiconductors and data centres will be the focus areas, along with traditional industries. “We will also set a roadmap for MSME growth, which is the foundation of industry,” said an official.The policy will now be forwarded to the chief secretary and after due vetting it will be sent to CM Suvendu Adhikari for placing it in the cabinet for final approval. “The cabinet meeting is slated to be held next week and the policy will come into effect only after the cabinet gives its nod,” said a senior Nabanna official.With the CM announcing that the industrial policy will be unveiled before Durga Puja, the GoM’s approval paves the way for its release soon.The GoM was convened at Nabanna under the chairmanship of state industry minister Tapas Roy. State finance minister Swapan Dasgupta and other members were also present. The GoM had held consultations with industry bodies and sections of the business community before giving its approval to the draft.State BJP president Samik Bhattacharya, who visited the Regent Garment and Apparel Park at Barasat during the day, made it clear that investors willing to set up industries would not face any extortion or political interference under the new BJP govt. The new policy will propel industrialisation in the state, a sector that had languished for long in the past, he added.“Land is the foundation of every industry. Without it, no business can take root. The present govt believes in creating the right policies to encourage business and industry, policies that let enterprise grow free from extortion and political interference. Our message to every investor is simple: come to Bengal, build here and grow without fear,” said Bhattacharya.According to the BJP state president, about 34 bighas of land at the park in Barasat, developed by RDB Group, became vested due to a land ceiling issue during the tenure of the previous govt. “Policy work related to land ceiling is underway. I will discuss the matter with commerce, industry and enterprise minister and also the finance minister. We will try to recover the land as soon as possible so that industrial development generating employment can happen,” he said.(With inputs from Udit Prasanna Mukherjee)
