logo
Bengal plans post-Puja industrial conclave to boost investment & exports

Bengal plans post-Puja industrial conclave to boost investment & exports

Time of India08-07-2025
1
2
Kolkata: To accelerate Bengal's industrialisation, state govt would host a business and industrial conclave after the Pujas, Amit Mitra, principal chief economic adviser to CM
Mamata Banerjee
, said on Tuesday.
Mitra said the CM decided to host the conclave after taking stock of investment proposals — received since the Bengal Global Business Summit (BGBS) in Feb — during a meeting at Nabanna during the day. The state's ex-finance minister, however, clarified that this conclave had nothing to do with BGBS and it would be held as usual. The dates are yet to be finalised, said Mitra.
Experts said through this conclave, Bengal govt wanted to showcase its achievements in industrial growth ahead of the 2026 assembly elections and also send a message to investors.
You Can Also Check:
Kolkata AQI
|
Weather in Kolkata
|
Bank Holidays in Kolkata
|
Public Holidays in Kolkata
A state-level investment and synergy committee meet was held on Tuesday, during which the proposed conclave was discussed. While the focus would be on core sectors like steel, leather, apparel and hosiery, gems and jewellery, food and food processing, pharmaceuticals and medical equipment, the conclave would also aim to boost cultural and historical tourism in Bengal.
Bengal is going to have five new steel plants in Jangalmahal, which will bring in investments to the tune of Rs 32,000 crore, Mitra said.
"Gems and jewellery is another sector we are focusing on, as Bengal has a high potential for growth in exports of gems and jewellery. In 2023-24, we exported to the tune of $1.8 billion, so we are going to set a higher export target," he added.
With high demand at the IT hub, Mitra also stressed the importance of IT, ITes and semiconductor sectors. The food processing sector is set to get more attention, with export of shrimps touching $423 million in the 2023-24 financial year.
The focus would also be on food, food products and milk, Mitra said.
Bengal's leather industry exports touch $700 million annually, which is half of the country's exports, Mitra pointed out. Additionally, medical equipment and medicines worth $20.5 million were exported from the state in 2024, he added, explaining the need for attention to these sectors.
CM to inaugurate leather & textile hub tomorrow
CM Mamata Banerjee would inaugurate the leather and textile hub at Alipore on Thursday. Located opposite Alipore Jail Museum, the hub would be a major sales point for leather products and Bengal saris.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Rs 5,000 to register mutually divided ancestral property
Rs 5,000 to register mutually divided ancestral property

Time of India

time29 minutes ago

  • Time of India

Rs 5,000 to register mutually divided ancestral property

1 2 Lucknow: The department of stamp and registration is working on a proposal to cut down stamp duty for partition of properties from 7% of the value of a property to a flat Rs 5,000. Partition of property refers to division of ancestral property among various claimants. Due to the high cost of registration of 'aapsi sehmati' or mutual consent settlements, families end up going to revenue or civil courts which means that matters can get dragged on for months, if not years. By easing registration charges, the government hopes to reduce pendency in civil and revenue courts. An official confirmed that the proposal will be taken to Cabinet for clearance in about a month. Partition of property is when the co-owners of a property mutually agree to divide the property among themselves and accordingly get it registered under Article 45 of the Registration Act, 1908. For instance, if an ancestral house is owned by two siblings, and two generations down they have 16 descendants, then the property needs to be divided into 16 parts, which includes the decision on which part of the property goes to whom. "Registration of stamp duty is 5% of the property price in Noida and 7% in the rest of the state. To avoid this cost, families end up going to the revenue department or to civil courts which could take months to dispose of each matter. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like How Much Does It Cost to Rent a Private Jet - The Prices May Surprise You! Private Jet I Search Ads Learn More Undo This process can be completed in just five minutes through mutual agreement now. To reduce this burden, a flat rate of Rs 5,000 per registration has been proposed," said minister Ravindra Jaiswal. In fact, the idea to reduce registration to a flat rate was mooted by chief minister Yogi Adityanath in 2024 not just to reduce pendency in courts but since in the case of partition there is no sale or purchase of property but just division, it was felt that high registration rates were unfair on citizens. Meanwhile, other aspects of property settlement within families where a similar reduction in stamp registration can be expected within the next few months include settlement under Article 58 of the Registration Act, 1908, where a person distributes property among heirs while still alive, release, and exchange of ancestral properties.

Naharkatia gets Rs 130-crore fund for 5 projects
Naharkatia gets Rs 130-crore fund for 5 projects

Time of India

time29 minutes ago

  • Time of India

Naharkatia gets Rs 130-crore fund for 5 projects

1 2 3 4 Dibrugarh: Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday unveiled an ambitious development package worth Rs 130 crore for Naharkatia in Dibrugarh district, laying foundation stones for multiple infrastructure projects at the Naharkatia Higher Secondary School Playground. The ceremony marked a significant milestone in the region's development trajectory, with the CM laying the foundation stones of five major projects designed to boost educational infrastructure, transportation connectivity, and sports facilities. The centerpiece of the development package is the Namrup-Naharkatia road overbridge, which will be constructed at a cost of Rs 69 crore. The critical infrastructure project is expected to significantly improve transportation links and facilite smoother movement of goods and people between the two important towns. The second-largest project in the package is the co-district commissioner's Office, allocated Rs 20 crore. This administrative facility will bring govt services closer to the people, reducing their need to travel to district headquarters for various official procedures and documentation. Sports infrastructure received a significant boost with the announcement of a hockey stadium project worth Rs 15 crore. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Many Filipinos don't know about this! Read More Undo The facility is expected to nurture local sporting talent and provide a platform for athletes from the region to showcase their skills at various levels of competition. The education sector development featured prominently in the package, with the CM laying foundation stones for two school — the Naharkatia Higher Secondary School Building, with an allocation of Rs 7 crore and the Konwariajan High School Building, budgeted at Rs 8 crore. He also handed over the newly constructed ITI Naharkatia to the skill, employment and entrepreneurship department. The technical institute, built at a cost of Rs 11 crore in collaboration with Tata Technologies, represents a significant investment in skill development infrastructure. The ITI facility is expected to provide technical education and vocational training to hundreds of students annually, equipping them with industry-relevant skills and improving their employment prospects in various sectors. "Today's foundation laying ceremony represents our govt's unwavering commitment to balanced regional development across Assam. These projects will not only enhance infrastructure but also create employment opportunities and improve the quality of life for our people in Naharkatia and surrounding areas," Sarma said during the event.

States rally behind AP in fight for industrial alcohol regulation
States rally behind AP in fight for industrial alcohol regulation

Time of India

time43 minutes ago

  • Time of India

States rally behind AP in fight for industrial alcohol regulation

Vijayawada: The state govt has sparked a debate over regulatory control of industrial alcohol following a high-profile seizure linked to illicit liquor production. Inspired by Andhra Pradesh 's decisive action, several states are preparing to push the Centre for jurisdiction over industrial alcohol — a domain traditionally under central authority. AP recently invoked a Supreme Court ruling to file criminal cases against individuals illegally transporting spirit intended for spurious liquor. In a major crackdown recently, excise and prohibition officials arrested 36 individuals and seized over 2,232 litres of diverted spirit, alongside counterfeit liquor bottles and packaging materials. Investigations unearthed a well-organised supply chain: spirit obtained under industrial pretenses like hand sanitizer production was rerouted for illegal liquor manufacture. Two repeat offenders confessed to sourcing ethanol via a Telangana-based pharma firm exploiting its RS-III license and pandemic-era permissions. The company—granted temporary sanitizer production rights during Covid-19 — allegedly misused them by diverting undenatured ethanol to operators in Andhra Pradesh. The network extended beyond Andhra Pradesh, with supporting materials like empty liquor bottles, brand labels, and caps being procured from Mumbai-based vendors— underscoring its scale and sophistication The Palakollu case prompted other states to seek input from AP authorities, who have since been approached for guidance and invited to lead a seminar on regulatory powers over industrial alcohol. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Clearance Sale: Exclusive handcrafted handbags - now 70% off Handmakers Report Read Now Undo However, the issue took a new twist after the arrival of GST regime. While the states continue to demand for control, the Centre made it clear that it has complete power to regulate, tax and penalise industrial alcohol. The states got the final relief with the latest Supreme Court judgement in Uttar Pradesh Vs Lalita Prasad and others case in 2024. A judgement by a nine-member judge (Constitutional bench) finally said that states would continue to have power on industrial alcohol to regulate the mechanism of supply of alcohol to industries and also potable alcohol.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store