Bengal on its way to be at top of industrial map - Speaker

Kolkata, Jan 31 (UNI) Bengal is on its way to claim the top position in the industrial map of the country, Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee said here today.

Addressing the valedictory function of the 20th Industrial Trade Fair, Mr Chatterjee said, ''some people with vested interests are trying to impede the developement of the state by opposing the governments effort of industrialisation.'' On the court decision of not allowing any fair in Maidan, Mr Chatterjee said it was a sad news as the city lost a beautiful fair venue due to the verdict.

Minister of Commerce and Industries Nirupam Sen, also present on the occasion, said the investment scenerio of the state had not only brightened but was also repleted with new prospects and possibilities.

Elaborating on the prospect of the state's economic growth, he said the state experiences average annual growth rate of 7.22 per cent in its domestic product.

He also said West Bengal is one of the top ranking states in the country in terms of growth rate in per capita income.

Mr Sen elaborating on the government's industrial policy said the key element of the policy was to forge greater cooperation with the private sector and fusion of indigeneous knowledge with innovations of modern science and technology.

He also said the government would promote SME sector and provide it the opportunity to grow at a faster rate as this sector has enormous potential for generating employement both in the rural and the urban areas.

"Our developement perspective essentially hinges upon achievements in the agricultural sector where the question of protection and preservation of the interest of the peasentry is paramount," Mr sen said assuring that the government would not relegate the interests of the farmers to the background in its stride for faster industrial growth.

UNI