Britannia Industries Limited, a powerful force in the Indian Biscuit Manufacturing Space, is set to shut its historic factory that is located at Taratala in Kolkata. This decision signals the demise of one of its oldest production facilities, thereby raising significant political and economic discussions on the West Bengal scene.
In 1947, the Britannia factory was built and it had an historical touch, playing a vital role within the industrial setup of Calcutta. It is expected that this closure will take place any time now and affect about 150 workers including those on contract and permanently employed. Permanent employees can receive compensation from Britannia amounting to even Rs 22 lakhs depending on how long they have been employed here.
The closure announcement has sparked a war of words between political parties in the state. West Bengal BJP president Sukanta Majumdar squarely blamed Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and her Trinamool Congress (TMC) party, attributing the shutdown to what he termed an “anti-industry image” propagated by the state government. He criticized TMC’s alleged involvement in extortion and highlighted a broader decline in Bengal’s industrial environment under their governance.
In response, TMC leader Kunal Ghosh refuted these allegations, asserting that Britannia’s decision was driven by internal management issues within the company rather than broader systemic problems within the state’s industrial framework. Ghosh pointed to the establishment of several new biscuit factories in Bengal, suggesting a vibrant industrial sector despite Britannia’s closure.
The closure of the Taratala factory is seen not only as a loss of employment for local workers but also as a symbolic setback for Kolkata’s industrial heritage. Critics, including BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya, have painted the shutdown as emblematic of Bengal’s economic decline under successive Left and TMC regimes, citing alleged mismanagement and corruption as contributing factors.
Industry experts have weighed in, highlighting Britannia’s strategic realignment efforts aimed at optimizing production and enhancing operational efficiencies. The closure, they argue, reflects broader industry trends rather than isolated state-level issues.
With mounting discussions, the destiny of affected employees and ramifications for the industrial ecosystem of Kolkata preoccupy minds all over. The shutdown of the Britannia factory stands out as a glaring fact when it comes to the predicaments that traditional industries face in West Bengal in light of changing business environments and realigned organizational plans.
