The Chamber organized an interactive session with Dr. Sanjeev Chopra, IAS, with the Managing Committee on December 4, 2019. Dr. Sanjeev Chopra is an IAS officer of the 1985 batch, originally from Kapurthala, Punjab. He had served in multiple capacities with the Central and State Governments in India. Dr. Chopra had been Secretary, Industrial Development and IT with Government of Uttarakhand where he was instrumental in making the State a premier investment destination in the country. He is currently the Additional Chief Secretary to the Government of West Bengal, in charge of Industry, Commerce and Enterprises Department and Director General of ATI, Kolkata.

Dr. Sanjeev Chopra expressed his pleasure being at the oldest Chamber of Commerce where he felt the very foundation stone of India's industrial growth was laid. He said that although at that point of time distinction between Trade, Commerce and Industry had not really evolved, it was at the Bengal Chamber where businesses evolved. BCC&I and the building in which it is housed has found mention in the writings of authors who dealt with contemporary history.

Dr. Chopra said that Bengal had led the country for many years in industrial development and economic growth but the fact is that the progress of industry over the years slowed down. However, the positive side now is that resurrection is happening. The infrastructure growth that is happening across West Bengal today is definitely much better than any other State. While the infrastructure in Maharashtra or Karnataka is better than West Bengal, the rate of change, improvement and growth of infrastructure in West Bengal is far better than other States. The State is charged with optimism and that is because the ecosystem of the State is changing.

Mentioning that having been in the State for a fairly long period, he could see that pace of work had gained momentum. Dr. Chopra had been the Industries Secretary in two States, Uttarakhand earlier and at West Bengal now. One common aspect he had noticed at both the States, in Uttarakhand at that point of time and at Bengal now, was the fast decision making process by political leadership. In our State today we live in a system where decision is very prompt and it is known exactly what needs to be done.

Today even for the country as a whole, the macro regime, the GST regime, the equalisation has made a lot of difference. The State today would score much better on the way the post- GST regime is turning out, the way the 'look-East' policy is turning out, the way the logistics planning which is going to be the greatest determinant is turning out, and on many other fronts.

Dr. Chopra mentioned that the East, especially the State of Bengal, is poised towards a phenomenal growth in agriculture. Bengal has 200 billion cubic meters of water resources and the State was using only about 60 to 65 billion cubic meters of water which meant that the State held about 135 billion cubic meters of water, which was fast becoming a scarce resource. Manufacturing is impossible without water, so is agriculture and many other activities. The State is endowed with river water resource in abundance. On the other hand Punjab, Harayana, Rajasthan etc. are States facing a major

problem on account of scarcity of water. Expensive water resource of course proves a major hindrance for industrial growth. Dr. Chopra strongly felt that Bengal had all resources in abundance within the State for setting up a strong base for a vibrant economy.

BCC&I has to play a forward role. What is said and planned to be achieved has to be backed by fact, and right policy guidelines, as well as the ability to deliver the process. The Chamber has a role to play here. Dr. Chopra mentioned that it had been his observation during the last few years, when he had been with the Government of India and when he returned from the Government of India to the State, there has been a marked change in the pace of constructive activities in the State and it was certainly at the crux of a resurrection.

Dr. Chopra concluded his talk by extending his gratitude to the Managing Committee Members of the Chamber for having invited him over for an interaction and complimented them for their entrepreneurship skills.

Dr. Chopra's talk was followed by an invigorating round of Q & A Session.