Amid growing concerns over the decline of West Bengal’s industrial and investment climate following the recent political transition, State BJP President Shamik Bhattacharya on Monday announced an ambitious “100-day” plan to revive the sector and attract fresh investments.

Speaking at the Bharat Chamber of Commerce, Bhattacharya assured industry leaders that the new government has already begun work to transform Bengal into a preferred investment destination, even before the full Council of Ministers has been constituted.

Bhattacharya made a strong pitch to the industrial community, promising swift and visible changes.

“Within the next 100 days, we will undertake such transformative measures in the industrial and manufacturing sectors that the results will compel widespread appreciation,” he said, signalling an aggressive policy push.

He described the past exodus of major industries from Kolkata during previous regimes as “shameful” and said the new government is committed to reversing that trend immediately.

Business-friendly laws and investment push

Reassuring investors, Bhattacharya invoked the legacy of Rabindranath Tagore and Syama Prasad Mookerjee, stating that Bengal once had the potential to lead India in industrial growth.

He announced that new laws would soon be introduced to create a secure and business-friendly environment. However, he emphasised that government efforts alone would not suffice and called for support from intellectuals and the general public to drive meaningful change.

Highlighting structural issues, Bhattacharya criticised the current state of the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector. He alleged that even small establishments such as roadside shops were being counted to inflate industrial statistics.

He stressed the need for a more robust MSME framework and called for a modern, cohesive land policy to facilitate industrial expansion and attract serious investors.

FDI gap and infrastructure blueprint

Drawing a comparison with Maharashtra, Bhattacharya noted that while the state attracts nearly 36% of India’s foreign direct investment, West Bengal’s share has dropped to around 0.6%.

To address this gap, he said the government has prepared a comprehensive infrastructure development blueprint aimed at boosting investor confidence and accelerating industrial growth.

Bhattacharya also criticised delays in key projects, including the development of oil reserves in Ashokenagar in North 24 Parganas and the stalled metro expansion along the EM Bypass.

Emphasising the need to align with global trends, he called for rapid engagement with emerging sectors such as data centres and stressed the importance of creating a level playing field for investors.

Neglect of North Bengal highlighted

Raising concerns about regional imbalance, Bhattacharya pointed to the neglect of North Bengal, particularly in tourism and the tea industry. He said inadequate planning had left tea workers and artisans in distress for years.

Concluding his address, Bhattacharya said the government aims to attract investments worth crores and transform West Bengal into a major industrial hub. He urged collective support from the state’s population to realise the vision of a “Golden Bengal.”

The announcement signals a strong policy intent by the new administration, with industry stakeholders now watching closely to see how these promises translate into action in the coming months.

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