The Hindu Business Line : Bengal-Jharkhand meet today to settle ore linkage issue

THE West Bengal Government hopes to sort out differences with the Jharkhand Government over iron ore linkage to the proposed Rs 12,000-crore steel plant of the Jindal group.

Talking to presspersons at the Bengal National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BNCCI) here on Wednesday, the State Commerce and Industry Minister, Mr Nirupam Sen, said that officials of the States and representatives of the Union Mines and Minerals Ministry would meet at the PMO on August 25 to resolve the issues.

Asked whether the Jharkhand Government had already agreed to provide the linkage, Mr Sen said, "There are positive responses from the Jharkhand government. We are hopeful of a positive outcome from tomorrow's meeting."

The State Government hopes to attract investment in pharmaceuticals sector following implementation of the 10,000-acre mega chemical hub in Haldia. The hub will include all industries related to the chemicals sector. "A number of big players in the pharmaceuticals sector have already expressed interest in setting up their shop here." The feasibility report of the chemical hub has been finalised and a detailed project report is now under preparation.

West Bengal has also entered into an agreement with IIT - Kharagpur for a 100-acre bio-technology park at Kharagpur. The initiative is expected to attract investment in pharmaceutical research sector.

Emphasising the importance of FDI, especially in the infrastructure sector, Mr Sen said that the State t was hopeful of attracting substantial inflow of FDI from the South-East Asian countries. The Salim Group of Indonesia had firmed up plans for setting up a 2,500-acre industrial zone. Discussions were on for setting up a health city and knowledge city.

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