Kolkata:
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today got a word of praise from Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) on work culture and law and order in the state, despite criticism of her government's handling of Haldia dock crisis which saw a cargo handler leaving citing unsafe work conditions.
"The work culture and law and order in West Bengal has changed for which the chief minister deserves compliments," said RV Kanoria, FICCI president, who led a high-level delegation during an half-hour-long meeting with Ms Banerjee at the state secretariat during the day.
Talking to reporters, Ms Banerjee, with Mr Kanoria standing beside her, said, "FICCI has shown interest about West Bengal. They also want to work in partnership with West Bengal government for development of tourism and textile industries in the state".
Mr Kanoria said FICCI had a 'good discussion' with the chief minister and a positive attitude was shown by the state government for industrial development.
FICCI would provide a framework for development of textile industry in West Bengal. "The Chief Minister had requested the FICCI to give proposals in this regard," he said.
"There are immense opportunities for development of textile industry here. If the textile industry develops in West Bengal there would also be scope for tie-up with Bangladesh where there was need for fabrics," Mr Kanoria said.
Mr Kanoria said FICCI would like to develop the logistic centres both at Siliguri and Kolkata for tourist attractions. FICCI would be holding investment summits in different parts of the country and had invited the Chief Minister. Besides, it would hold its annual general meeting in Delhi on December 15 where it had invited Ms Banerjee. It also wanted to hold an investors' meet and the West Bengal government had requested to take part in it, he added.
Mr Kanoria, who led the FICCI delegation comprising noted industrialists and bankers like CK Dhanuka, KK Rungta and Naina Lal Kidwai, said while labour attitude in the state had improved, land acquisition continued to be a challenge not just in Bengal but across the country.
Mr Kidwai said the state needed to work more on promoting tourism infrastructure improving hotels, airport presence and road connectivity.
The industry body also impressed upon the Chief Minister to help build a consensus among states on the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST), which would usher in a new indirect tax regime.
"GST would be a permanent stimulus for the country's industry and economy and according to reliable studies add two percentage points to our growth going forward. Tax administration and collection will also become simpler as the very concept and nature of GST is based on self-policing and tax compliance at each stage of value addition," MR Kanoria said.
When asked if the delegation discussed the issue of FDI in mutli-brand retail with the chief minister, Kidwai replied in the negative but spoke in full support of it.
"FDI will open up avenues for business competitiveness. It will not only give a fillip to organised retail sector but also improve competitiveness of kirana shops," she said.