West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced a 15-minute response mechanism for investor extortion complaints on Thursday, November 5, while warning of arrests over industrial disruptions and outlining plans to boost state revenue.
At A Glance
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15-minute response: The government promises action within 15 minutes of receiving investor extortion complaints through its dedicated helpline.
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Zero tolerance for industrial disruptions: Adhikari warns of immediate arrests against those attempting unnecessary cease-work at industrial establishments.
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Rs 4,000 crore revenue growth: The Chief Minister claims the state’s revenue collection has increased by Rs 4,000 crore compared to the previous year.
The West Bengal government has placed investor protection and uninterrupted industrial operations at the centre of its new industrial policy. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said his administration would take a tough stand against extortion, intimidation and attempts to obstruct industrial activities.
Addressing the issue after the policy announcement, Adhikari urged investors to report extortion attempts through a dedicated government helpline. He assured them that the administration would initiate action within 15 minutes of receiving a complaint.
“There is a dedicated helpline number for registering complaints on extortion. I am requesting the investors to register their complaints on that helpline number,” the Chief Minister said.
He further assured investors that the authorities would deal strictly with those responsible under the relevant legal provisions.
The announcement signals the government’s intention to address concerns over extortion and create a more favourable environment for industrial investment in West Bengal.
Adhikari Warns Against Militant Trade Unionism
The Chief Minister also issued a stern warning against attempts to disrupt industrial production through militant trade union activities.
He said his government would not tolerate unnecessary cease-work programmes or any deliberate attempt to shut down industrial establishments. Those responsible would face arrest and could remain in prison for a prolonged period, he warned.
Adhikari maintained that workers and employees must follow established procedures when raising grievances against industrial managements.
He specifically advised those having complaints against managements to approach the Labour Commission instead of resorting to disruptive methods.
“I will not allow any attempt at unnecessary cease-work at any industrial unit,” he said, warning that anyone attempting such action would face strict consequences.
The Chief Minister’s remarks underline the administration’s emphasis on maintaining uninterrupted industrial operations while ensuring that workplace grievances follow the prescribed channels.
Rs 650 Crore Spent on Eight Business Summits, Claims CM
Adhikari also criticised the previous Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress government over its annual Bengal Global Business Summit.
The previous administration had organised the summit to attract investment and promote West Bengal as an industrial destination. However, Adhikari questioned the actual outcomes of those events.
He claimed that the previous government had spent more than Rs 650 crore on organising eight editions of the investment summit.
According to the Chief Minister, the earlier administration had announced that memoranda of understanding (MoUs) worth Rs 16 lakh crore were signed during these events. However, he alleged that the proposed investments failed to translate into tangible results.
Adhikari further accused the previous government of including infrastructure development projects under proposed investments, thereby presenting an inflated picture of investment commitments.
His criticism focused on the gap between the investment figures announced at the summits and the actual outcomes achieved, as claimed by the present administration.
CM Blames Previous Government for Revenue Losses
The Chief Minister also accused the previous government of neglecting the state’s own tax revenue generation.
He alleged that corruption received political patronage during the previous regime, causing substantial financial losses to the state exchequer.
Adhikari, however, claimed that the state’s financial position had started improving during the first six months of the new government.
Referring to revenue collection figures, he said the state had recorded an improvement when comparing the corresponding periods of the two financial years.
He cited the April-September 2025 and April-October 2026 periods while highlighting the improvement in revenue collection.
Although the government could not immediately introduce fresh initiatives, the Chief Minister claimed that revenue collection had increased by Rs 4,000 crore compared to the previous year.
Government Targets Higher Own-Tax Revenue
Adhikari said increasing the state’s own tax revenue would remain a major priority for his administration.
He identified the prevention of money laundering and extortion as important measures to strengthen government finances. At the same time, he stressed the need to establish a favourable environment for industrial investment.
The Chief Minister said the government wanted to curb financial irregularities while encouraging investors to establish and expand industrial operations in the state.
His remarks linked the new industrial policy with two broader objectives: improving the state’s revenue position and attracting fresh industrial investment.
The administration’s assurances on rapid action against extortion and strict measures against industrial disruptions form a central part of its stated approach to building investor confidence in West Bengal. (Edited by Enewstime Desk, retaining the financial figures, dates, allegations and government assurances mentioned in the Agency-news)