FUTURE OF INDUSTRILISATION IN W.B.

There is a common opinion that Left movement of W.B. made this state backward in industrialization. The trade union movements forced the industrialist to shift their industry out of Bengal. It is true to say that ideology of class struggle of left politics marked the industrialist anti- labor. At the same time, the capitalists were also scared, as they were friendly to Congress. The work of land-reform made left front popular among rural land-less population who had no right on the land during Congress rule. At the same time, made sections of people foe, whose land was taken for ‘barga’.   

 

The central – state relationship was not congenial for getting central sanctions.  It was not easy for the W.B. Govt. to get sanctions for the projects of Haldia and Bakreshwar. In spite of any vital industrial investment in the state, left-front government came into power for the 7^th. time with an absolute majority. As per their election manifestation the left government focused on industrialization to generate employment. By this time, the left leadership realized ‘Capital’ has no cast and without its investment into industry, there is no scope to generate employment.  But all the parties in left- front were not ready to accept the process of industrialization; even the party members of CPIM were not well equipped for pursuing people where land was acquired for factories.  Knowing fully well that Bengali as a whole are sentimental to land  and comfortable in their present status, the opposition took no time to capitalize the sentiment  against CPIM and succeeded.  After a long period, a boon in industrializations was anticipated.  Increasing market in rural Bengal, cheap and quality labor, and liberalized approach of the left government made Industrialist eager to invest in this state. But the possibility comes to an end with a motto to irradiate CPIM from Bengal because, in spite of its vices, successful implementation of ‘industrialization policy’, could keep the ruling party for another 30 years to rule.

The peculiar characteristics of Bengalis is that they feel proud to condemn themselves, happy to criticize others and last of all put blame on to the authority, as the case may be, by ignoring his responsibility.  It is not the failure or success of any particular government in terms of development, unless the people really want so.  When the spot light of industrial investment is on Gujrat, the critics of this state happy to see it as the failure of Left government but don’t see the motivation of Gujraties as a whole on the issue of development of their state.  It is a curse of Bengal that Left government of W.B took two decades to resolve its stand, after fall of Soviet, over capitalism.  The effort should be started earlier.  Still there is a little hope; the market will force the investors to come forward if present political turmoil comes to an end.