Bong Journal : Your Journalist Companion from India

Q1. Bengal is projected as a top MSME state. What is the real ground reality?

Shisir Bajoria:“Let me be very clear—yes, Bengal has one of the largest MSME ecosystems in India, with nearly 90 lakh units. But we need to understand the difference between statistical strength and economic strength. Most of these MSMEs are micro-level units, often running at subsistence levels without scalability. They lack access to formal credit systems, advanced technology, and structured supply chains.

Q3. We are seeing migrant workers and even NRIs returning to vote. What does this indicate?

Shisir Bajoria:“This is one of the most powerful signals coming out of this election. Bengal is facing both brain drain and brawn drain—our educated youth are leaving, and our labour force is also migrating to other states. On paper, unemployment numbers may look controlled, but the reality is different. There is a lot of data interpretation and presentation happening, where underemployment is not properly reflected.

Q4. What is the future of Bengal as an export and trade hub?

Shisir Bajoria:“Bengal’s potential is enormous, and it is rooted in history.

Q5. Will Bengal become investment-friendly in the coming years?

Shisir Bajoria:“Bengal has everything—talent, culture, intellectual capital, and strategic location. But investors look for trust, transparency, and predictability. One major concern is the credibility of financial and governance data. There have been repeated concerns raised in audit observations over the years about delays in responses, lack of departmental compliance, and pending audit findings.

Q6. With such a high voter turnout, is Bengal heading towards a major shift?

Shisir Bajoria:“When you see more than 92% turnout, it clearly means people want change—not just political change, but economic accountability. Bengal today is dealing with serious financial stress. The debt burden has crossed several lakh crores, and a large portion of state revenue goes into servicing that debt. Welfare schemes are important, but if they are not backed by economic growth, they become unsustainable.