Tapas plans industrial revival, promises to bring Tatas back

Kolkata: State commerce and industries minister Tapas Roy believes industrialisation is the future of Bengal and wants to get the Tata Group to invest in a big way in Bengal.

“We will have to bring industries back to Bengal. We will have to convince those who left the state to return,” Roy told TOI after assuming charge on Wednesday. Hence, getting the Tata Group, which was forced to abandon the auto plant in Singur, to return and invest in the state again is his priority.

“If Ratan Tata were alive today, I would have rushed to meet him tomorrow. We will have to go and meet the people who are at the helm of the Tata Group to bring them back, either in Singur or elsewhere in Bengal. We will leave no stone unturned to woo the Tatas,” Roy stated, adding that Bengal was poised for an industrial revival.

He also said efforts would be made to bring back more than 6,500 enterprises and entrepreneurs who shifted their operations out of the state over the years.

Alleging that the Trinamool govt hurt investor sentiment, Roy said the BJP govt would work to restore their confidence in Bengal. “The situation created by the previous Trinamool Congress-led govt was pathetic. We want to send a strong message that Bengal is ready for industry once again,” he said.

“We will hold talks with industrialists and business leaders across the country and abroad to attract investments. Bengal offers immense opportunities in manufacturing, services and renewable energy sectors,” Roy added.

The minister said the govt would focus on creating an industry-friendly environment, ensuring ease of doing business and generating employment opportunities for the state’s youth.