MERCHANTS' CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Shri Sudesh Sonthalia , President, Merchants’ Chamber of Commerce, feels that the following issues should receive immediate attention of the in-coming Government in West Bengal :-
1. Restoration of investors’ confidence and image-building for West Bengal on the basis of its strategic location, large English - speaking skilled work force and taking effective steps for political and social stability should receive top priority.
2. Agriculture, being the mainstay of the people and following Prof. M. S. Swaminathan’s vision , a revolution in small farms management and production - strategy is imperative, for which group / contact farming and corporatisation of agriculture are essential.
3. Many industrial units, existing and new, have been held up and their production plans could not be implemented due to land-problems, thus blocking creation of considerable wealth and employment opportunities. Hence, a rational Land - Use Policy based on updated scientific data should be implemented and Land Banks at the District - levels should be set up and made available to the prospective investors for facilitating industrial growth - both large and SME sectors.
4. Iron & Steel industry is the new growth-area of the State. But the basic raw materials like Iron Ore and Coal are not available in required quality and quantity, thus holding back its growth. Assured linkage of Iron Ore and Coal to these units should receive urgent attention of the new government.
5. Escalation of prices of essential items should be brought down by taking necessary administrative steps.
6. SMEs which are playing a critical and catalytic role in the areas of production, employment generation and exports, should get Bank credit at lower rates - at PLR + 2p.c. or so. This issue should be negotiated urgently with the RBI and Union Finance Ministry.
7. However, the most urgent need is to re-structure and energise the Administration. Quick response to the needs of the people, agriculture and industry, urgent and effective action to reach the set-targets within the given time-frame in all areas, hold the key to the restoration of peoples’ confidence. Law and Order problem also needs to be reviewed from a fresh angle and solved which is an essential pillar of confidence building.
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