Kolkata, Oct 31 (IANS) The West Bengal government Wednesday said the industry’s confidence on the regime was high, dismissing claims to the contrary as a port equipment operator pulled out of the state citing poor law and order and employee safety.
“Did they have any agreement with the state government? Ask the Port authorities,” Industries Minister Partha Chatterjee shot back when asked about the decision to quit by Haldia Bulk Terminals, which was operating at two mechanised berths at the Haldia Dock Complex.
“We are well aware of the sentiments in the industrial circles. Excepting a section in the media, everybody has confidence in the government,” Chatterjee said when a reporter said the industry was concerned over the turn of events.
The minister also took a dig at the media, which has been highlighting the labour unrest at the dock, saying: “Those who have the file of HBT open before them may please take it elsewhere.”
He also reacted angrily when a scribe pointed out that HBT had cited the poor law and order as the reason for shifting out of Haldia.
“If somebody goes to the media, the media cannot look into law and order issues. If they come to us, we will see,” the minister added.
The company’s decision came a day after Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said the Haldia Dock imbroglio has been “exaggerated”.
The deadlock at KoPT’s Haldia Dock Complex over operations of HBT has been continuing ever since the company retrenched 275 employees in September.
Following the unrest, HBT had stopped operations at the second and eighth berths of the dock complex, resulting in KoPT moving the Calcutta High Court for permission to terminate its agreement with HBT.
