New governor of West Bengal likely within a month: Buddhadeb

The Centre is likely to appoint a new governor of West Bengal within a month, a post which has fallen vacant after the expiry of the tenure of Gopal Krishna Gandhi.

"I had some discussion with the prime minister, but I cannot disclose anything in the matter. The appointment of a full-time governor will be done before the Republic Day," chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee said here today.

Bhattacharjee, who was here to attend the CPI (M) Politburo meeting, called on prime minister Manmohan Singh and finance minister Pranab Mukherjee yesterday and discussed several developmental projects with them.

He said he sought the urgent intervention of the Centre in stopping the problem of siltation and the shallow trough at the Haldia Port, which was seriously affecting navigation of large ships.

Seeking immediate steps by the Centre to start de-silting operations "before it is too late", he said it was not only creating problems for West Bengal's economy, but those of the northeast and eastern states like Jharkhand as well.

Bhattacharjee said he also suggested that the textile ministry come out with a Jute Policy to encourage exports as jute bags were in great demand in European countries. It would also go a long way in protecting the interests of the jute growers, mills and their workers, he said. There are 56 jute factories in West Bengal.