Date:08/04/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/04/08/stories/2008040860001200.htm

National

“West Bengal is marching ahead”

Special Correspondent

KOLKATA: “West Bengal is marching ahead and we can safely go back and tell our colleagues that if they are interested, it is on the move,” NRI industrialist Lord Swraj Paul said on Monday.

He is visiting the State as the leader of a four-member delegation of the Commonwealth Parliament Association.

Lord Paul said Britain had a strong attachment to West Bengal with the elders and ancestors of many families buried in the cemeteries in and around Kolkata.

He was interacting with journalists after attending a meeting organised by the chairman of the Standing Committee of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly on Industry, Industrial Reconstruction and Public Enterprises.

During the meeting, where Industry and Commerce Minister Nirupam Sen and his departmental secretary were present, a presentation was made, highlighting the State’s industrialisation prospects and its problems.

Lord Paul said West Bengal’s strong point was its people, especially bright young boys.

“We got to know [at the meeting] what the State’s aspirations are and the reservations some sections have on some issues. We were delighted to know that West Bengal had the third highest growth rate in India.”

Lord Paul, who is the chairman of the Caparo Group which is setting up a component unit in Singur, said the plant would be ready at the same time the Tata small car unit was ready.

A few companies from West Bengal were present in Britain and there were no restrictions on investments.