Kolkata,The industrialization process got a boost during the last two decade because of proactive role and policies as enunciated by the Govt of West Bengal. Consequently a plethora of industries of different nature were established in the Durgapur- Asansol region. Iron and manganese based medium scale industries were set up in large numbers by entrepreneurs of west Bengal and/or from outside the state. Global recession hit hard the iron industries so much so that a number of such industries were forced to close down or were disposed off.

Onslaught on the part of Railway Protection Force (RPF) in the form of raid on the iron industries during the last two months has added to the woes of concerned industries. We always maintain that RPF authorities possess all rights to conduct raids anywhere in anticipation or search of stolen railway properties by remaining within the provisions of law. What we submit is that there should be transparency in the whole operation.

   1. Raiding authorities should have search warrants and/or proper documents.
   2. Since there is auction of Railway materials including the rails on regular basis by the railway authorities, such goods if purchased by industrial units from bonafide sources are in no way an illegal acquirement. Needless to mention rails are manufactured by almost all the giant steel manufacturers of the country, sale of which is through open sale process and hence abundantly available everywhere. Hence the seizure list must be delivered by the search officials to the unit representatives before leaving the raided premises. Seizure list must incorporate reference of the documents as produced by the concerned unit owners.
   3. Since there are allegations on the part of Unit owners that the search officials have resorted to seizure of capital goods item installed by unit holder at the time of installation of their plants it should be ensured that the entire operation be conducted and recorded in a movie camera in presence of credible trade and industry organization of the area only.
   4. Allegations have also been heaped on search officials of rude and inhumane behavior. It should be ensured that they deal the entire operation with a humane touch. Moreover there should not be any victimizing attitude on the part of the search officials.
   5. Raids conducted on the steel plants of Burdwan district during the last two months should be investigated by competent authority like CBI, report of which can only bring to light some undisclosed facts and the high handedness by RPF personnel .

Raids conducted by RPF search officials have infact created a panic amongst the minds of the entrepreneurs which if not removed by means and steps to be adopted on the part of Govt. Officials may send adverse signals.

While addressing a press conference in a city hotel, Sri S. L. Agarwal president WBIF&RMA and MD, MB Group said that such high handedness by the RPF personnel should stop immediately and the matter be investigated. To protest against such atrocities by the RPF personnel the entire Induction furnace and rolling mill industry will observe a closure of all the units for one day i.e today. Mr Agarwal further stressed that unless the request for transparency in the whole operation is not considered, the units will remain closed indefinitely