I feel that in North Bengal, the impetus should be on industrialisation. The region is spread across eight districts from Malda to Cooch Behar with the Siliguri Corridor — also known as ‘chicken’s neck’ in strategic parlance because it is the slimmest part of the Indian subcontinent, perched between Nepal and Bangladesh in the north and
south with the China and Bhutan borders located around 200km away.

Around 175 years ago, British planters chose the region to set up tea estates and till date, it is a major industry in North Bengal which employs over 3 lakh people. Also, over the past two decades, small tea plantations — standalone tea plantations — have mushroomed in the different districts. Those engaged in this sector are first-generation rural entrepreneurs and as of now, another 10 lakh people are directly or indirectly associated with the sector.

Over the years, tourism has also emerged as an important employment provider and around 5 lakh people earn their livelihood from this sector now.

However, barring these two sectors, there are only MSME units and some agro-processing-oriented clusters like mango in Malda. In places like Siliguri and its surroundings, the real estate sector provides some employment.

Years have passed but the region, unlike most other parts of India, lacks major investments for heavy industries. The lack of industrialisation is evident as thousands of youths from these districts are moving out to other states in search of jobs. Such migrant workers are joining even hazardous jobs and there have been incidents when lives were lost due to accidents on the worksite.

The geographical location of North Bengal, which has four international borders and is also the gateway to the Northeast, is the USP of this region. Further, there are four-lane highways, an extensive railway network and air connectivity which can be instrumental in bringing industrial investments here.

After Trinamool came to power, it lacked a proper land policy to provide land to private investors and so far, the state government has brought in only some MSME units which are of no comparison with the number of educated and skilled youths who live here.

A planned strategy in association with the Centre is needed for industrial development of the region. The state government instead, is always in a non-cooperative mode. We have heard about lengthy announcements in business summits hosted by the state but have hardly seen any major industrial projects coming up here.

This is something which we need to focus on as it would directly boost the regional economy and people will no longer have to bank on doles and skilled youths
can find better earning alternatives other than working as beneficiaries of the 100-days-work scheme.

There are prospects for setting up IT units, pharmaceutical units, food-processing and garment units here. A concrete plan can draw investments in other sectors and north Bengal can emerge as the manufacturing and supply hub for the Northeast and also neighbouring countries like Nepal, Bangladesh and Bhutan.

We have a number of land ports and transit routes to these countries which can facilitate export from the region. If the neighbouring state of Sikkim can get investments in the pharmaceutical sector, there is no reason why we can’t get such companies in North Bengal.

To create more employment in the tourism sector, I have submitted a proposal to the Union tourism ministry so that a master plan can be drafted for the sector’s development in this region. Travelling is on the rise and we believe additional employment can be created here. Again, in this case, a concerted effort of the state and the Centre is required.

Another aspect which I intend to mention is that the region needs sustainable development, keeping in mind its fragile ecosystem.

Stretches of green cover have depleted over the years due to unplanned urbanisation and even now, natural resources are being harnessed unscientifically. Specific initiatives, along with a stringent set of rules, are required on the part of the state and
Centre to conserve North Bengal’s natural resources and rich biodiversity for future generations.

The writer is the BJP MLA from Siliguri and Bengal BJP secretary. Aged 49, he holds a doctorate in pathology, microbiology & cytochemistry and his political career spans over 30 years. The views expressed in this article are personal