Industries don't exist in Bengal? Mamata rejects Left's claim

The West Bengal chief minister said her government was engaged in developing infrastructure in the state.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday rejected the Communist Party of India-Marxist's charge that industrialisation in the state had taken a backseat

In the small-scale sector the Trinamool Congress government was able to create 12 lakh (1.2 million) jobs, she claimed.

Banerjee said her government was engaged in developing infrastructure in the state.

"We are developing infrastructure in the state because if there is infrastructure there will be jobs.

"In the small scale sector, we have created 12 lakh jobs," Banerjee said, adding, "some people say a lot of things but do nothing".

Former West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee stated on Sunday during the CPI-M plenum, "The condition of industrialisation is very bleak. That is why, we have to remove this TMC regime and save Bengal."

Speaking at a programme at Mathurapur in South 24-Parganas district, Banerjee exhorted her partymen not to walk into the trap of any provocation by the Opposition.

"Hold your head high.

“Do not give into any provocation or conspiracy by the Opposition," Banerjee added.

She also claimed credit for giving compensation to flood victims, something which the previous Left Front government had not done.

About annual Gangasagar mela in the district, the chief minister said said her government had not only withdrawn tax that used to be collected by the previous government from the pilgrims for visiting the mela, but have also started giving insurance to the pilgrims.

"We don't speak much but we get things done," she said.

Image: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Photograph: Reuters