Kolkata: Opposition resistance to industrialisation in West Bengal has proved to be a failure as it was not backed by any alternative suggestion which the people could bank on, Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee said today.

Taking a dig at the opposition, Chatterjee said despite its movement against industrialisation, the state government had forged ahead with rapid pace helped by huge investments from within the country and abroad.

He was speaking at the closing function of the 21st Industrial India Trade Fair organised by Bengal National Chamber of Commerce and Industry and state government.

Chatterjee said though the state's industrial policy was announced in 1994 during the Jyoti Basu regime, the Left Front government had been able to bring in a massive transformation only recently after overcoming Opposition resistance.

Lauding the state's aspiration for becoming the leader in industrialisation, Chatterjee said the state had tremendous potential for development and generate employment opportunity. "A large number of SEZs have developed in the western part of the country. We need at least some to showcase our potential," he said.

Citing examples that even some small south Asian countries could progress in rapid pace, India could chase the growth rate achieved by the Chinese.

Source : PTI