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Post-Nandigram turmoil won’t last: survey

Special Correspondent

Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee has been voted the best Chief Minister in terms of governance and industrialisation drive, with the State emerging as the fifth best industrial destination in a survey. It was conducted by Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) among the city’s apex industry bodies.

The survey with a sample base which includes the Tatas, Birlas, Goenkas, the B.M. Khaitan group and ITC gave a thumbs-up to Mr. Bhattacharjee for his clean image, and aggressive industry stance. The ICC began the survey to gauge the State’s investment climate, in the wake of the Nandigram killings in March 2007.

A majority of the city’s top corporate houses felt that the jolt given to West Bengal’s industrialisation process by the land acquisition turmoil will not last long. They said that they will go ahead with their planned expansion programmes and hire new people in 2007-08.

A senior ICC official told The Hindu that while 600 questionnaires were sent out since April, 150 responses were received till mid-June from industry houses which have a pan-Indian presence. They were thus in a good position to com pare the State’s scenario. “The ICC Investment Climate Survey 2007-08 covers a wide range of industry-sectors with responses from people who have their bases in Bengal but also operate in other States,” the official said.

However, a number of corporates felt that the Government must detach itself from the party for all issues barring broad policy decisions. They stressed on the importance of dialogue with the Opposition, which they felt was necessary for the smooth functioning of the State as well as industry.

While admitting that land acquisition was a problem, a sizeable portion felt that the Government must not stop its drive to acquire land for new industries to maintain the growth momentum. However, 80 per cent of the respondents felt the Government must chalk out a suitable rehabilitation package before formally handing over land to new industrial units. About 12 per cent of the respondents felt this was not necessary because the overall socio-economic benefits generated by new industries would outweigh those generated by normal farming practices.

As an attractive investment destination West Bengal was ranked fifth, after Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, and Karnataka. States such as Punjab and Andhra Pradesh were found to be trailing West Bengal as the preferred industry address in the survey.

But there were some grey areas too. Infrastructure still remained the most serious constraint.

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