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Informist, Wednesday, Jun. 24, 2026

 

KOLKATA - The West Bengal government is working on framing rules to formulate incentives for industries that can potentially attract investment in the state, the state's finance minister, Swapan Dasgupta, said. 

 

"First the incentives need to be brought at par with that in Assam and Odisha," he said on the sidelines of an event organised by industry body ASSOCHAM. "But first, we need to frame the rules."

 

Dasgupta said that as West Bengal's economy declined, the "self confidence" of Odisha and Assam grew. Both these states offer various incentives to industries, while West Bengal's economy suffered, he said. 

 

The West Bengal government has made a budgetary allocation of INR 50 billion to incentivise fresh investments in the state. 

 

Dasgupta said West Bengal, which saw a flight of capital and human capital in the past, besides de-industrialisation, needs to first "link its economy with the national economy." He said measures must to be taken to change the perception of investors who think the state is "hostile" and has an "anti business environment."  

 

Dasgupta said the state needs to come up with more large cities, as West Bengal is currently too centred around Kolkata. "We need more cities, bigger cities," he said. 

 

As a measure to encourage the growth of smaller cities into larger ones, the finance minister has proposed metro rail projects for Durgapur and Siliguri in the state's Budget for 2026-27 (Apr-Mar).  End

 

Reported by Avishek Rakshit

Edited by Avishek Dutta

 

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