You will also have to answer same questions when in power: Nirupam tells Oppn

State Commerce and Industries Minister Nirupam Sen said that those opposing the government on industrialisation will have to face similar problems once they are in power.

Blaming the Opposition for its resistance to industrialisation,Sen said the state cannot progress without industries. Whoever comes to power cannot run the government without encouraging industry. If you want growth,you have to create a business-friendly environment, Sen said. He was addressing students and academicians at a programme held at the St Xaviers College on Friday.

The minister,accepting that there are lots of problems regarding industrialisation,emphasised on land issues,pointing out that Bengal is a land-starved state. If you dont allow power plants,electric poles,highways,industries and factories,how can you have development? One day when someone else is in power,they will have to answer these questions, Sen said.

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The minister said that while the state has 8.5 per cent of the countrys population,it only has 2.5 per cent of land.

Sen claimed that from 1991 to 2008,the state had ranked third in the country in terms of attracting investment after Gujarat and Maharashtra. He also tried to brush aside allegations that the state has only tried to tap big investments. Big industries are required to set up ancillaries. Big investment helps in generation of SME and gives scope to budding entrepreneurs, the minister said.

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