‘Shift focus from negativity to creativity': Mamata Banerjee claims MSME success in Bengal

Indian Express

10-07-2025

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday stressed the importance of shifting focus from 'negativity' and 'narratives' to creativity and self-reliance, highlighting that negativity overshadows progress and achievements. 'Many things have happened in Bengal. You probably don't know much. A big problem nowadays is — 'negative' and 'narrative'. No positive things are being told or shown. No positivity or creativity is being told,' she said.
The chief minister, who was addressing a gathering at the inauguration of — 'Shilpanna', a leather and small sectors complex in Alipore on Thursday, also highlighted the state's leadership in the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector and said, 'Bengal is number one in the country in MSME sector.'
'Our MSME sector is a master regarding employment generation. It is a landmark achievement. More than 90 lakh units are there where over 1.3 crore people are working. We have already created over 660 MSME clusters. To encourage the MSME and small-scale industries, we have arranged bank loans worth more than Rs 9.5 lakh crore. The young generation gets Rs 50,000 through Bhabishyat credit cards in small loans. It will surpass Rs 2 lakh crore,' she said. 'We developed the Rupanna beside the International Convention Centre, where many things are available. We even developed the Grameen Haat and the Biswa Bangla Haat. We have organised over 1,000 fairs and exhibitions where artists did business worth more than Rs 4,000 crore,' Banerjee said.
Talking about the 'Shilpanna' facility, Banerjee said that the 'air-conditioned complex with 45 stalls' would promote traditional handicrafts, leather goods, and handloom products, while providing a sustainable platform for women-led self-help groups (SHGs), artisans.'There are so many cottage industries and leather industries along with different sarees. Women like leather bags and Bengal is no.1 in the country in terms of the leather industry. We manufacture bags which are stamped by some companies as well. Hence, the same object can be bought here at a lower price. I would urge you to keep more stocks of bags and purses here. Fourteen showrooms of Banglar Sari have been set up in Bengal along with Delhi. Many prominent saree shops and the Biswa Bangla showroom have been set up here. Sarees are available in a wide range, from Rs 300 to Rs 3,000…,' Banerjee said.
The chief minister mentioned that her government is establishing shopping malls in every district headquarters and that the malls will have a dedicated space for SHGs to sell local products.
'We are setting up big shopping malls in every district headquarters. The state government will give the land only for Re 1. They can utilise it commercially, but only on one condition – We want two floors for the SHGs as we have excellent artisans… Our female prisoners make a lot of things. There are three shops here where such things along with organic things are available too. I even bought some things from the shops. That is why we named it 'Abhinna' as they are working exceptionally well. We are helping them to become self-sufficient so that they can work after being released,' Banerjee said.
She said that a camp office will be set up in Alipore to accommodate top officials. 'Many of our officers reside faraway. That is why we set up the camp office so that they are accessible during an emergency. It has been done so that the officers can reach Nabanna or my residence quickly.'
The CM claimed, 'We have reduced poverty in Bengal by 40%. Six economic corridors are being set up soon. More than 200 industrial parks, 46 private parks, etc have been set up, 1,500 powerloom sectors have been set up to manufacture school uniforms. Hence, the cottage industries are growing at a fast pace.'
'We have scholarships in schools and universities, from Kanyashree to Aikyashree, and hence, the girl child dropout rate has reduced to a huge rate… There is a smart card worth Rs 10 lakh for them, if they want to pursue higher studies abroad. Others also have smart cards worth up to Rs 30 lakh. Hence, there will be no pressure on parents,' the chief minister said.
Atri Mitra is a Special Correspondent of The Indian Express with more than 20 years of experience in reporting from West Bengal, Bihar and the North-East. He has been covering administration and political news for more than ten years and has a keen interest in political development in West Bengal.
Atri holds a Master degree in Economics from Rabindrabharati University and Bachelor's degree from Calcutta University. He is also an alumnus of St. Xavier's, Kolkata and Ramakrishna Mission Asrama, Narendrapur.
He started his career with leading vernacular daily the Anandabazar Patrika, and worked there for more than fifteen years. He worked as Bihar correspondent for more than three years for Anandabazar Patrika. He covered the 2009 Lok Sabha election and 2010 assembly elections. He also worked with News18-Bangla and covered the Bihar Lok Sabha election in 2019. ... Read More