Infosys planning campus in Bengal : Minister

Kolkata, Dec 18 : West Bengal Urban Development Minister Firhad Hakim on Saturday said software major Infosys is planning to set up campus in the state and has completed the payment for the land it received from the government.

"Infosys has completed the payment for the 50 acre land that they took in Rajarhat. They have already taken ownership of the land," Hakim said.

The minister announced Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) is also setting up their "biggest campus in the country in Kolkata" where nearly 40,000 people would be working under the same roof, adding that Bengal has been able to "recover its industry-friendly image under the present government and attract more investments from multi-national companies."

"During the Left Front rule, Bengal's image as an investment-friendly state hit rock bottom. We have been able to recover that image to an extent. So organisations like Infosys, TCS, Cognizant, IBM-- all are showing interest to invest here," he added.

Meanwhile, at the inauguration of the trade fair, State Finance Minister Amit Mitra criticised the demonetisation drive saying the common man is suffering.

"Look at the different industrial sectors. Tea estates are shutting its shop. The jute mills and leather businesses are facing huge loss. Look at the power loom sector in Maharastra. The owners of the factory could not pay salary to the labourers," Mitra said at India international mega trade fair organised by the Bengal Chamber.

The minister also said Bengal is the "most business-friendly" state in India.