Kolkata, 22 September (H.S.) : Missing its deadline for the second time, West Bengal's highly anticipated new industrial policy is unlikely to be unveiled before October, presumably after the Durga Puja festivities conclude. Sources at the state secretariat, 'Nabanna', revealed that while most aspects of the policy are complete, finalising the complex framework for industrial land procurement remains pending.

The state government initially aimed to announce the policy on August 15, coinciding with Independence Day. When that target was missed, a mid-September deadline was set, which has also lapsed as officials work to give the final shape to the comprehensive industrial blueprint.

The primary hurdle lies in drafting a land procurement strategy that balances the interests of the state government, landowners, sharecroppers, and agricultural workers. Given the highly fragmented nature of landholding in West Bengal, acquiring large, contiguous plots for big manufacturing units has historically been a sensitive and arduous process.

To navigate these complexities, the state government has firmly decided against invoking archaic land acquisition laws. It has also ruled out leaving the daunting task of negotiating with multiple landowners entirely to private investors. Instead, the government plans to act as the primary negotiator, directly purchasing the land from owners before transferring it to the respective industrialists.

Furthermore, the administration is actively developing a model to integrate landowners as direct stakeholders in the proposed industrial ventures. Officials are exploring two potential avenues to achieve this: guaranteeing employment for at least one member of the land-owning family within the new industrial unit, or facilitating opportunities for them to establish ancillary businesses that provide indirect support to the main manufacturing plant.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh