West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari is likely to hold a meeting with Adani Group chairman Gautam Adani at the state secretariat here on September 24 amid the state government's efforts to attract fresh investments and create employment opportunities, a senior bureaucrat said on Wednesday.
Adani is expected to arrive here on Wednesday night and attend the foundation stone-laying ceremony of the Adani Arogya Mandir, a proposed 2,000-bed hospital in New Town, on Thursday, the official said.
"There is a high probability of a meeting between the CM and Adani at the state secretariat on Thursday. During the meeting, they are likely to focus on investment and industrial projects in the state," the bureaucrat told PTI.
Adani likely to meet state officials
Before his likely meeting with Adhikari, Adani is scheduled to meet senior state government officials at the Taj Bengal hotel, where discussions on various investment proposals are expected to take place, the official said.
Adani is expected to begin his visit by offering prayers at the Kalighat temple, he said.
The bureaucrat further added that the government was in discussions with several major industrial groups for investments in the state.
The development comes days after Adhikari said that his government was working to create an environment conducive to industrial growth and had been reaching out to major investors.
2,000-bed hospital project in New Town
According to the state government's programme details, the foundation stone-laying ceremony of Adani Arogya Mandir is scheduled to be held at 9 am on Thursday.
The CM will be the chief guest at the programme.
The proposed hospital is part of a broader investment push by the Adani Group in Bengal.
"The group is also expected to be involved in projects relating to the renovation of Writers' Buildings and redevelopment of Kumartuli Ghat," the bureaucrat said.
The Adani Group's planned hospital is seen as a part of the state government's efforts to attract investment in the healthcare sector.
Government steps up investor outreach
The state government has been reaching out to major industrial groups since the BJP government came to power in West Bengal, with employment generation and industrial development being projected as key priorities.
On Tuesday, the CM promised major investments and said big industrialists would be brought to the state, invoking Prime Minister Narendra Modi's new mantra of "talk less and work more".
Adhikari claimed several major investors were looking at the state and cited his Monday meeting with Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani and his son Anant Ambani at their Mumbai residence as part of his efforts to attract investment to the state.