West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Thursday, 6 August said Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has personally assured him of full Central support to revive the state's struggling tea and textile sectors. The assurance, he said, was conveyed during his recent visit to New Delhi, and Sitharaman is expected to travel to West Bengal before the end of this month.

What the Finance Minister Promised

'The Union Finance Minister has assured me of all necessary Central assistance for the revival of the tea and the textile sector in West Bengal. This is an important issue,' Adhikari said while addressing a seminar on the textile industry in Kolkata. He added that Sitharaman's visit to the state is expected by the end of August, signalling a hands-on federal push for the region's industrial recovery.

Textile Hubs and Legal Reforms on the Agenda

Speaking at the seminar, CM Adhikari outlined plans to develop dedicated textile hubs across the state. He indicated that legal provisions may be amended if required to facilitate investment. 'The current state government will do whatever is necessary for investments in the sector,' he said. The Chief Minister also pledged to dismantle entrenched barriers such as corruption and extortion, which he described as key deterrents to industrial growth.

New Government's First Three Months

'In the last three months, the new state government has worked according to the promises made before the Assembly election earlier this year. A perfect environment for industry is being created in West Bengal. Hooliganism will not be tolerated at any cost,' Adhikari said. He characterised the current administration's approach as a clean break from what he described as decades of industrial decline, claiming the state had suffered 'continuous setbacks during the last 50 years.'

PM Modi's Personal Interest in Bengal's Revival

Adhikari said Prime Minister Narendra Modi is personally invested in West Bengal's development. 'The Prime Minister is trying hard to revive West Bengal. He celebrated Yoga Day here. The Prime Minister has told all the Central ministers to visit West Bengal regularly and help in reviving the state,' he said. The Chief Minister framed the Centre-state alignment as a 'double-engine government' now delivering on its pre-election commitments.

What Comes Next

Finance Minister Sitharaman's upcoming visit to West Bengal is expected to translate the assurances into concrete policy or funding announcements for the tea and textile sectors. Industry stakeholders and investors will be watching closely to see whether the stated investment-friendly environment materialises in measurable terms — including job creation and fresh capital inflows into two sectors that have long underperformed their historical potential in the state.