Aafreen Hussain in Kolkata
West Bengal’s newly elected BJP government has signalled that industrial revival will be among its highest priorities. The proposal to introduce a new industrial land policy, with consultations involving all stakeholders before its implementation, reflects an attempt to avoid the mistakes of the past. By seeking opinions from industry representatives, economists, business associations and administrative officials before finalising the policy, the government hopes to create a transparent and investor-friendly environment while protecting the interests of farmers and local communities.
Industrial policy has remained one of the most debated subjects in West Bengal over the last five decades. During the Left Front government (1977–2011), the state initially focused on labour rights and land reforms under Chief Ministers Jyoti Basu and Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee. While the early years witnessed limited industrial expansion, the Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee administration later attempted rapid industrialisation through projects at Singur, Nandigram and other locations. Industries Minister Nirupam Sen strongly advocated large-scale industrial investment, while Finance Minister Asim Dasgupta argued that industrial growth was essential to strengthen the state’s finances. Economic advisers broadly supported industrialisation but repeatedly stressed the need for transparency in land acquisition and better rehabilitation policies. The controversies surrounding Singur and Nandigram, however, severely affected public confidence.
The Trinamool Congress government (2011–2026) under Mamata Banerjee adopted a different approach. Declaring that “no industry would be established through forcible land acquisition,” the government relied mainly on voluntary land availability, industrial parks and MSME promotion. Former Industries Minister Partha Chatterjee, later Shashi Panja, and Finance Minister Amit Mitra, followed by Chandrima Bhattacharya, consistently maintained that investor confidence could coexist with farmers’ rights. Economic advisers emphasised infrastructure development, logistics, information technology, tourism and ease of doing business. Despite attracting investment proposals in sectors such as IT, logistics and manufacturing, critics argued that several large manufacturing projects failed to materialise due to land availability and implementation challenges.
The Congress governments that ruled West Bengal before the Left Front, under leaders such as Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy and later Siddhartha Shankar Ray, laid much of the state’s industrial foundation. During those years, heavy engineering, steel, jute, chemicals and public-sector enterprises expanded significantly. However, political unrest, labour disputes and declining private investment during the later years weakened industrial momentum.
The present BJP government appears to be exploring a balanced strategy. According to official announcements, the proposed policy seeks to identify government-owned land, simplify administrative procedures, reduce unnecessary regulatory hurdles, ensure transparent land allocation, encourage domestic and foreign investment, generate employment and strengthen industrial infrastructure. The government has also indicated that stakeholders’ views will be considered before finalising the policy, with the objective of creating sustainable industrial growth while avoiding the conflicts that marked previous industrialisation efforts. Whether this consultative approach succeeds will ultimately depend on transparent implementation, administrative efficiency and the confidence it inspires among both investors and the people of West Bengal.