The Hindu Business Line : Bengal Govt urged to reopen paper mills

THE city-based paper traders, who largely depend on supplies from outstation paper mills, have urged the West Bengal Government to take steps to reopen closed paper mills in the State or encourage fresh investment in this industry. Incidentally, the State was once the pioneer in the field of paper making as large mills were located here. But all these mills have since been closed down due to various reasons, including raw material shortage.

In his Presidential address at the 86th annual general meeting of the Calcutta Paper Traders Association here, Mr K.K. Kothari has said there was good opportunity for the State to revive its lost glory in this industrial sector, provided the initiative was taken by the State Government to adopt a modern, proactive social forestry policy and encourage industry and local self-government such as gram panchayats to take a long-term view for utilising wastelands.

Wood is an important raw material for various industries.

Once the State succeeded in converting wastelands into planned wood plantation, new opportunities would open up for employment and would attract entrepreneurs to set up industries in the State, Mr Kothari felt.

However, he urged the Union Government to frame a long-term policy to reform taxes, as multiple taxes were affecting the profit margin of the paper trade.

As the Government was planning to introduce VAT in the near future, he was sure that the prevailing taxes levelled on paper and paperboard by the Union and the State Governments would be withdrawn.

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