Dubious development

‘Krishi amader bhitti, shilpo amader bhobissot’ (Agriculture is our base & Industry is our future) – the CPI-M led west Bengal state government is said to be run by this motto. In recent Singur melodrama, we have seen the concern of state government for industrial development. If that was to be believed then why they are now contradicting their stand on the shut down of Dunlop Sahaganj factory? The factory had to close down since the automobile companies feeling the heat of global melt down worldwide; the demand of tyres has gone down sharply. The owner Pawan Kumar Ruia is now expecting the grant of loan or capital intensive from state government to boost up the moribund Dunlop factory, which is arguably one of the largest tyre producing factories of India.

It’s obvious that the WB state government isn’t in a condition to finance every other emaciated factory of the state. But Buddhadeb Bhattacharya, the ‘sanskriti manoshko’ (cultural) CM of India can spend profuse money on International Film Festival every year but when it comes to the future of over 1200 workers, his government makes hue & cry over limited finance! Cultural interaction is necessary, but he should now realize that hunger-stricken mind can’t relish a good movie. If the government won’t be able to grant the capital required for the reopening of Dunlop factory, it should at least be involve in effective discussion with Ruia to sort out the problem. Every other progressive Bengalis has lend their support with Buddhadeb led government in latest Singur incident but if situation continues this way in Sahaganj, its evident that CPI-M might lose public support in coming Elections.

Every other state criticizes the political frivolity of Bengal these days. If members of left parties say Mamata Banerjee’s demand on the land of Singur is ‘Farcical’ then Trinamul leader says Dunlop is another example of Buddhadeb Bhattacharya’s ‘Incompetence’! And the blame game continues.

Throbbing factories, Bandh culture, viscous political condition – these now has become synonymous with West Bengal. In spite of that, we know at present there is no other leader except Mr. Bhattacharya to fit the chair of CM. But if he could be able to devote at least half of the impetus he usually spends on IT industry, Films or Kolkata Book fair; on the overall development of the state, then it will be a different picture altogether.