WB CM Suvendu lays foundation stone for Rs 15,000 Cr Shyam Steel Plant

Bankura (WB): West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Friday laid the foundation stone of Shyam Steel Group’s integrated steel plant at Mejia in Bankura district, describing it as a major step in the BJP government’s industrialisation drive and asserting that such investments would generate large-scale employment in the state’s backward districts. The project, part of the group’s steel division expansion programme, entails an investment of around Rs 15,000 crore and is expected to generate thousands of direct and indirect jobs, according to the company and the state government. Addressing the gathering, Adhikari said the government was committed to attracting industries to districts such as Bankura, Purulia, Paschim Bardhaman and Birbhum to spur regional development. “Thousands of crores will be invested here, creating employment opportunities for many people. If we cannot bring industries to places like Bankura, Purulia, Paschim Bardhaman and Birbhum, infrastructural development of these regions will not happen, and ancillary industries will not expand. Thousands of young men migrate to other states for work. They too will return. The government’s revenue will increase,” he said. Welcoming investors willing to work with the state government, the chief minister claimed industries were again showing confidence in West Bengal after the change in government. In a political swipe at former chief minister Mamata Banerjee, Adhikari said she should visit the upcoming plant and see the project for herself. Referring to the previous TMC government, he alleged that investments were moving out of the state because of corruption and an unfavourable business environment. “Had there not been a change in government, all investments would have shifted to Odisha. Investors are returning because the situation has changed,” he claimed. The foundation stone-laying ceremony was attended by Industries Minister Tapas Roy, Health Minister Sharadwat Mukhopadhyay, Urban Development Minister Agnimitra Paul and senior company officials. Roy said the government was working to create employment within the state so that workers no longer had to migrate in search of jobs. “Why should people leave Bengal in search of work? We will work to bring migrant workers back. Under the chief minister’s leadership, we will strive to reduce migration by creating employment opportunities here,” Roy said. “Our goal is to build an industrially prosperous state. We want West Bengal to emerge as the best state in the country,” the minister added. The project is among the biggest industrial investments announced in the state since the BJP assumed office two months ago. It follows other recent investment proposals, including projects at Dankuni and by Lux Cozi, as the government seeks to revive industrial growth.