West Bengal Industry Minister Tapas Roy has said the state government will make every effort to bring the Tata Group back to Bengal, describing the conglomerate’s exit from Singur as a setback that hurt the state’s industrial image and discouraged investors.
In an exclusive interview with The Statesman, Roy said Bengal’s industrial growth suffered because previous governments failed to create a welcoming environment for businesses.
The minister’s remarks come as industrialisation continues to be a key political and economic issue in the state. Nearly two decades after the Singur controversy, the Tata Motors exit remains central to debates over Bengal’s investment climate and its ability to attract major projects.
“The previous government failed to prioritise industrial development and forced the Tata Group to leave the state…We will engage with the Tata Group again and make every effort to bring them back,” Roy told The Statesman.
‘Industrialists became afraid to invest’
Roy said the departure of Tata Motors from Singur sent a negative signal to investors across the country.
“Industry was never given importance. When Tata was forced out, industrialists across India became hesitant about investing in Bengal. Even many local entrepreneurs left the state,” he said.
According to Roy, the state’s industrial ecosystem suffered as investment opportunities dwindled and confidence among businesses weakened.
Referring to the years following the Tata Motors withdrawal, Roy said Singur had failed to achieve either significant industrial development or meaningful economic transformation.
Roy attacks previous regime, alleges widespread corruption
During the interview, Roy also launched a sharp attack on the previous government, alleging that corruption had spread across multiple sectors.
“There is hardly any sector untouched by corruption,” he claimed.
The minister further alleged that Trinamool Congress national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee was involved in collecting money.