Sujay Khanra
Don’t create trouble for Jindals: Mamata
Salboni: A day before the Bengal Global Business Summit kicks off, business started rolling from Salboni on Monday with chief minister Mamata Banerjee inaugurating the Jindal Group’s first ever cement plant and group head Sajjan Jindal declaring that he was betting big on Bengal.
The Rs 800 crore plant with a 3.6 metric tonnes annual capacity — 2.4 metric tonnes for a start — was built on 133 acres of the 4,300 acres acquired for a steel plant Jindal Steel Works had originally planned 10 years ago.
Praising the Jindal Group for completing the project in two years, the CM said, “I thank those who gave their land and urge them to continue cooperating with the Jindals and not create any trouble for them in future. I also urge the DM, SP and local panchayats to ensure there is no problem for the them. If we can ensure smooth operations for them, they will expand the plant and initiate new industrial and other projects here. Treat them as your own as if they are one of you.”
Jindal said, “We have several projects in the pipeline here. Among them is a steel unit, an 18 MW thermal power plant, a hydro power plant, a solar power plant besides a paint manufacturing unit. I am confident that despite the delay, it is off to a good start. Industrial development will generate employment among people here.”
Banerjee said, “I ask the chief secretary to ensure JSW Cement finds a market for the state’s projects to build 5 lakh houses under the Bangla Awas Yojana and 700 km road in Bengal.”
Expressing gratitude to the Jindals for getting the plant inaugurated ahead of the business summit, Mamata said: “Tomorrow, our BGBS summit will start. I welcome all of you to come and attend it.” Showering praise on the CM’s Kanyashree project, he said: “It is truly a unique project.” Mamata said, “I spoke to Sajjan Jindal’s wife Sangita who expressed interest in the project.”