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Bengal cabinet clears new Industrial Policy, launch on Nov 5

Kolkata, Oct 28 (UNI) The West Bengal Cabinet on Wednesday approved the draft of a comprehensive industrial policy aimed at attracting fresh investments, removing bureaucratic hurdles and creating employment opportunities, with Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari scheduled to unveil it at Nabanna on November 5.
Speaking to the media after the cabinet meeting, the chief minister said, “We had a commitment to launch Industrial policy before Durga puja but we wanted to fine tune it and so we have taken some time. We had asked all the ministers to give their opinion. I have also given mine and we will unveil it on November 5 from Nabanna.”
“There will be Swapan Dasgupta and Tapas Roy and we will call all the representatives of the major industrial houses and unveil the new industrial policy,” he added.
The policy, prepared under the direct supervision of the chief minister and Industries Minister Tapas Roy, is expected to outline the state government's strategy for reviving industrial growth and strengthening the state's economy.
The government began work on formulating the policy in June to address long-standing concerns raised by industrialists and trade bodies over the absence of a clearly defined and comprehensive industrial framework.
Since assuming office on May 9, the Adhikari government has taken several steps to revive industries and promote economic reforms, claiming progress in developing infrastructure for heavy and medium industries in districts such as Hooghly and Bankura.
The government has identified creating a conducive investment climate, reducing bureaucratic red tape and generating lakhs of permanent jobs for young people as key priorities.
Ahead of Durga Puja, the Chatterjee Group firmed up an investment of around Rs 6,000 crore in Haldia in East Midnapore. Japanese multinational Mitsubishi has also expressed interest in making substantial investments in the state.
The new industrial policy is expected to provide a structured framework for pursuing these investment ambitions.
Alongside industrial development, the Cabinet also approved measures aimed at supporting farmers and strengthening the rural economy.
“More than 50 lakh farmers will benefit from the Mukhyamantri Krishak Samman Nidhi scheme, under which each eligible farmer will receive Rs 3,000 in each of two instalments and it will be transferred directly to their bank accounts on November 5,” the chief minister said.
The disbursement will be launched by the chief minister and Agriculture Minister at a state-level programme in Pursurah in Hooghly district.
Farmers and beneficiaries from other districts will participate virtually.
According to administrative sources, the assistance represents the state's share of funding under a framework modelled on the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme.
The Cabinet also approved a proposal to rename the existing Krishak Bandhu scheme as the Mukhyamantri Kishan Samman Nidhi.
The Cabinet further reviewed expenditure by government departments to expedite the implementation of development projects.
The Finance Department has been directed to release the next instalment of funds to departments that have already spent 35 per cent of their annual budget allocations, so that development work does not face interruptions.
Meanwhile, the government has directed the administration to step up vigilance across the state during Kali Puja and Diwali to maintain public safety and law and order. Ministers have been assigned responsibility for monitoring the situation in specific districts during the festive period.
UNI SAG BM
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