Kolkata: Bengal has started getting a taste of "double-engine sarkar," but his government will need some more time — until next March — to fulfill all promises, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said on Friday.
"You are already getting the taste of the 'double-engine' government. You will realize the full benefits by March 2027," the CM said, adding, "People will have to give us time. Our priorities include Bengal's development, increasing revenue, creating a business- and industry-friendly environment, drafting policies on investment, and bringing transparency in employment and welfare schemes. We will excel in all of these by March 2027. You will see a perceptible change in governance."
The CM also assured that his government will "bring Tatas back to Bengal." Adhikari said the state will adopt a "3-pronged policy" for economic regeneration.
"States that have moved forward financially have done so through heavy investments. They followed a 3-pronged policy to reduce unemployment — awarding government jobs to deserving candidates, linking large and small industries with institutional credit, and focusing on heavy industries and MSME sectors apart from agriculture and food processing," he said.
The CM was addressing a press meet at an event to celebrate 12 years of the PM Modi-led NDA government. In its first 35 days in office, Bengal's first BJP government has obtained sanctions for centrally assisted schemes worth over Rs 48,200 crore and received proposals for some big-ticket investments.
"We have inked an agreement for Rs 39,000 crore under the Jal Jeevan Mission. The Centre has transferred Rs 700 crore for MGNREGA, which will end by this month. The Centre will grant Rs 8,500 crore to us under the VB-G RAM G scheme," Adhikari said. He mentioned that the process to integrate 1.4 crore people under the Ayushman Bharat scheme has started, while the process to implement the Prime Minister Surya Ghar scheme has taken off. The state is also delivering land on a regular basis to the BSF, which has started fencing work in the "Chicken's Neck" area of north Bengal, while Census work has already started, he said.
"Both the Centre and state will work together to strengthen Bengal. You will get to see the outline when the state Budget is placed on June 22. We will take care of the economic condition. Bengal will become self-dependent financially," he said.
Days after Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced 61 railway projects for Bengal involving an investment of Rs 1 lakh crore, Adhikari said the state will also stress on expansion of existing projects that generate employment. "We have railway workshops at Kanchrapara and Kharagpur, and railway-based industries can expand here. We have given this proposal to the railway minister. Directions have been given for land acquisition for 61 new railway projects. No objection certificates have already been issued for nearly 500 railway underpasses," he added.
