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Thiruvananthapuram , Dec. 9

WEST Bengal's development experiences could be of relevance to Kerala when the State is formulating its development strategy for the next decade, said the West Bengal Chief Minister, Mr Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee.

Inaugurating the `International Congress on Kerala Studies' organised by the AKG Centre for Research and Studies in the city on Friday, he pointed out that West Bengal has followed an "alternative development strategy" that has placed emphasis on protecting the interests of farmers and workers and alleviating poverty and unemployment. Without land reforms, no rural development strategy will work, while people's participation alone will make the panchayat system really effective, he added.

The West Bengal Government is doing its best to ensure that growth is not confined to cities alone, Mr Bhattacharjee said. In West Bengal, all development programmes focus on creating jobs, he explained. The services sector can be a major creator of jobs for young people, he said.

Healthcare is, for instance, a major focus area for West Bengal and the State Government is working on setting up a `healthy city', he added.

Similarly, in industry the emphasis is on small and medium industries as these segments can provide more employment, he said. Sectors such as agro business and information technology are new growth areas, he added.

Addressing the gathering, Ms Brinda Karat, Member of the CPI (M) Polit Bureau, said development movements in Kerala have always helped people outside the State. The three-day conference on creating a development strategy for Kerala will not only benefit the State, but also the wider world, she emphasised.

Mr V.S. Achuthanandan, Leader of the Opposition in the Kerala Legislative Assembly, presided over the inaugural session. Delegates from across the State and other parts of the country are participating in the conference.

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