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The West Bengal Government recognises the need for faster economic
development in the state. Its strategy for encouraging investment and achieving
higher levels of economic development hinges on the following elements:
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Focus on industries where the state has a competitive advantage
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Restructuring of public sector enterprises
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Maintaining balance between interests of industry & workers
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Encouraging foreign technology and investment, as may be appropriate or mutually advantageous
The State Government has simplified the approval for setting up industrial
units in the state. An empowered committee has been constituted to arrange for
time-bound decisions in respect of investment proposals and clearances required.
At the district level too, a committee headed by the district magistrate has
been set up to ensure quick decisions regarding land, employment and other
related matters.
Based on the above approach, the State Government has adopted policies for
long-term growth and development. These include:
IT Policy
The State Government has identified IT and ITES as priority sectors for the
state. In 2003, the state adopted a comprehensive IT Policy which aims at:
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Setting and realising aggressive targets for attracting investment in the sector and increase
the state's share in India's IT and ITES exports
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Providing a comprehensive package of incentives and regulatory support to
facilitate faster growth of the sector
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Leveraging the large talent pool available in the state to promote
employment generation
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Wide spread adoption of IT in public life through
e-governance initiatives
West Bengal: Recent initiatives for IT and ITES companies
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All IT companies are granted the status of public utility services and
work under a 24x7x365 model
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Self-certification allowed for IT companies to the extent possible
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IT companies are awarded special status to improve infrastructure
availability
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Several data protection rights, anti-piracy measures and R&D support from appropriate institutions
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Fiscal incentives such as exemption from consumption tax and quality linked incentives
To improve its competitiveness in this sector the State Government has
decided to connect all government departments and over 3,600 Local Self
Government units to ensure community participation. It has set up the West
Bengal State Wide Area Network (WBSWAN) that provides wide level connectivity to
the district and block levels. West Bengal is one of the five states in India
with such wide connectivity. The state has launched an IT literacy programme in
schools and colleges in collaboration with IBM, Wipro and NIIT. This programme
will cover over 1 1,000 schools across the state.
Public sector enterprise restructuring
As part of its larger effort to foster economic and social development of the
state, the West Bengal Government has decided to restructure the state level
public enterprises. In 2003, it commenced a pilot project for restructuring 14
state-owned enterprises, with assistance from DFID, Government of UK. Of the 14 enterprises, 10 have
been identified for restructuring through private investment. Four enterprises
will be retained under the State Government's ownership. Business and financial
restructuring plans have been developed for these enterprises and are currently
under implementation.
Special Economic Zone Policy
The State Government is focused on developing SEZs in the state. These zones
will be earmarked as duty-free enclaves and will have a relaxed and business
friendly policy regime. The policy aims to promote rapid industrial development
and employment generation. The policy offers:
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Exemption from all state and local taxes and levies on transactions with
the SEZ and on supply from domestic tariff areas to the SEZ
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Exemption from stamp duty and registration fees
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Grant of labour and environment related permits and approvals through a dedicated single window
mechanism
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Permission to generate electricity for own consumption
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Expeditious process for land acquisition to set up SEZs
The Manikanchan Gem and Jewellery Park is one of the first greenfield SEZs in
India. Built with an investment of
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