Asansol: Visiting the Asansol South assembly constituency for the first time since assuming office, the Chief Minister inaugurated the Kali Puja organized by the Nakdasata Bado Dighari Janakalyan Samiti on Thursday. During the event, he lit a lamp before Goddess Kali and unveiled the puja pandal and the idol. In his address, the Chief Minister pledged to restore Asansol’s industrial glory and generate employment for local youth through large-scale investments.
The Chief Minister mentioned that Anil Agarwal, head of the Vedanta Group, had recently met with him at Nabanna. During this meeting, Agarwal expressed an interest in re-establishing a plant in Asansol. According to the Chief Minister, the Vedanta Group could invest between ₹70,000 and ₹80,000 crore in a phased manner, potentially creating jobs for approximately 10,000 local residents. He noted that the company already possesses land and a factory site in Asansol.
The Chief Minister recalled that the Asansol-Durgapur industrial belt was once the backbone of Bengal’s economy. Many major industries were established here during the era of Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy; however, industrial growth was subsequently hampered by the influence of coal and sand mafias, corruption, and the ‘syndicate raj.’ Efforts will now be made to revive the region’s industrial identity through the modernization of SAIL, IISCO, and other industrial establishments.
He expressed concern over the migration of youth to other states due to a lack of local employment opportunities. He further emphasized that restoring the cultural heritage, traditions, and pride of West Bengal remains a priority for his government.
The Chief Minister directed the Commissioner and Administrator of the Asansol Municipal Corporation to focus specifically on drinking water supply, drainage systems, and the repair of dilapidated roads. He stressed that residents must continue to receive basic civic amenities until an elected municipal body assumes responsibility.
Additionally, the Chief Minister announced that he would visit the Paschim Bardhaman district following Chhath Puja to conduct an administrative review meeting. This initiative will bring together representatives from central and state government industrial and administrative establishments on a single platform to discuss development plans for the district.
Extending his best wishes for Kali Puja, Diwali, and Chhath Puja, he appealed to the public to celebrate these festivals in a spirit of peace and harmony, and to cooperate with the police administration in maintaining law and order.
