The Hindu Business Line : We welcome US investments, not arms: Bengal CM

THE West Bengal Chief Minister, Mr Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, has said that the Left Front Government is keen to see substantial American investments in the State, although the CPI (M) is vehemently protesting against the ongoing Indo-US exercise of weapons now being carried out at the airbase at Kailankunda in West Midnapore district of the State.

Replying to a barrage of questions at the `Meet-the-Press' programme, organised by the Press Club, Kolkata, Mr Bhattacharjee said, "We want American capital and technology but not the weapons to be exercised in the State's soil. This was the political stand of his party."

He said many American companies were showing interest in the State towards investments in infrastructure, petro-chemicals, information technology and agri sectors. More such investments would be welcomed in the State.

The Chief Minister said the central leadership of CPI (M) had urged the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, to scrap the strategic bi-lateral treaty between the US and India on arms and weapons. Instead, his party felt that India should establish strategic relations with the combination of China and Russia.

Reacting to the resignation of the External Affairs Minister, Mr K. Natwar Singh, Mr Bhattacharjee said, "American lobby is acting against Mr Singh'' who might have resigned in the wake of the Prime Minister setting up an inquiry committee examining the UN panel's allegation against his involvement on an international `oil scam'.

He said during his tenure investments in about 120 projects took place in food processing sector, while IT and ITES sector created employment for about 40,000 persons. Haldia Petrochemicals Ltd (HPL) alone helped to create about 50,000 jobs in one of the downstream sector like plastics.

On the ongoing "cold war'' between the State Government and the single large largest private promoter in Haldia Petrochemicals, Mr Purnendu Chatterjee, the Chief Minister said the matter would be settled soon. He said a decision on the issue relating to strike in IT sector would be taken at the next meeting of the CPI (M) Polit Bureau. The State Government is ready to implement the Centre's policy on Rights to Information, subject to the announcement of rules and guidelines in this regard by the Centre.

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