The state has identified IT as a priority
focus sector to be developed into a growth engine. It
has developed the new IT policy keeping in mind the
enhanced opportunities that IT will unleash over the
next decade. These opportunities will allow corporates
to create immense value, provide significant opportunities
for talent development and employment, and enhance efficiencies
in governance and social service. Therefore, the core
objective of the new IT policy is to allow different
constituents within the State to leverage this opportunity.
West Bengal Pollution Control Board
in consultation with the concerned departments of the
State Government categorized the industries in descending
order of pollution potential as Red, Orange and Green
categories alongwith a clear siting policy for entry
level restriction. This siting policy is in place from
1998. But from our practical experience it is found
that the entrepreneurs propose the new industries violating
the siting policy and when they appear before the Board
for Environmental Clearance the Board has no option
but to refuse the said application. It is felt that
before selection of a site for any new industrial development
the entrepreneur should be aware of this siting policy.
It is the responsibility of the promoting departments,
the first port of call of the entrepreneurs, to ensure
this.
Jewellery from this region is famous
throughout the world by the sobriquet “Calcutta
Jewellery” for its intricate designs and quality
of workmanship. West Bengal has a rich and continuing
tradition of craftsmanship for handmade gold jewellery.
The artisans from the State are today spread throughout
the country. The proposed Gem & Jewellery Park will
have the advantage of abundant availability of India’s
finest jewellery craftsman.
Government of India has already given ‘in principle’
approval for Special Economic Zone (SEZ) status for
Manikanchan. It is imperative to create an ambiance
of simplified procedural regime to remove domestic hurdles
and restrictions for the Manikanchan SEZ. It is also
necessary to allow some fiscal and non-fiscal benefits
at State level to the units at Manikanchan to make them
internationally competitive. With these objectives,
State Manikanchan SEZ Policy has been formulated within
the basic guidelines given by the Government of India.
