It appears from the following report that despite perceived malfunction of
government in India and GOI's alleged total lack of competence, some states
manage to flourish. I remember the days when West Bengal started languishing
after many of the big businesses pulled out of Calcutta. Strikes and protests
were rampant in the early seventies. I spent good six years in Bengal and I am
glad to see that the situation has turned around for the Bengalis.
Dilip
From the Assam Tribune
EDITORIAL
---------------------------------
Historic achievement
On June 21 the CPI (M) led Left Front Government in West Bengal completed 30
years of continuous rule, winning seven general elections from 1977
successively throwing the incumbency factor to the dustbin, reducing the
opposition parties or alliance of opposition parties to insignificant players,
not capable of giving a good fight to the ruling alliance in the hustings.On
this day, thirty years ago,Jyoti Basu, the CPI (M) leader along with likeminded
leftist parties formed the Government in West Bengal and since then there was
no looking back. Jyoti Basu continued as the Chief Minister for long 23 years
and showed to the political leaders in India how to run a coalition government.
Due to ill health and advancing age, he voluntarily relinquished charge of the
office of the Chief Minister and handed over the reins of government to his
trusted lieutenant, Buddhadev Bhattacharjee who is carrying forward the mission
of Jyoti Basu to make West Bengal, one of the front ranking
States in the country. During his tenure of long 23 years Jyoti Basu gave
priority to land reforms, introduced Panchayati Raj system and empowered the
grass roots democratic institutions and laid stress on agriculture which
created a firm base for the CPI (M) led left parties in the rural areas. West
Bengal became the largest producer of rice and second largest producer of
potato in the country. It is the largest producer of fish. It is ranked high in
terms of growth of per capita income. Against the national rate of growth of
5.2 per cent of per capita income in 2005-2006, West Bengal achieved 5.72 per
cent. At present, agriculture contributes 22 per cent and industry 24 per cent
to State domestic product. However with 33 lakh educated unemployed in the
State more stress is laid on industrial development. The Chief Minister,
Buddhadev Bhattacharjee has declared his firm resolve to promote industry
inspite of protests from the Trinamool Congress led by mercurial Mamata
Banerjee and murmurs from a few coalition partners. Already a large number of
project proposals from big corporate houses from within the country and outside
have been received and are under different stages of implementation. Foreign
direct investment in 2005-2006 amounts to $ 119 million. It is creditable that
the Left Front government has succeeded in attracting investments from Indian
and foreign companies and turning West Bengal into a favourite destination for
the entrepreneurs, once infamous for gheraos and labour militancy. While
celebrating the completion of 30 years of Left Front rule, the nonagenarian
Jyoti Basu lamented that there was an irresponsible opposition in the State,
but warned the Left Front not to be complacent, He asked the Left Front to
address the shortcomings and take the people into confidence while implementing
the projects. With a respected leader like Jyoti Basu to guide and a dynamic
Chief Minister like Buddhadev Bhattacharjee, West Bengal
has a bright future.
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