Ambani says invested Rs 45,000 cr in Bengal, commits Rs 20,000 cr more in 3 years

“Bengal has been one of the largest investment destinations for Reliance. Today, I announce an additional investment of Rs 20,000 crore in the next three years in digital life solutions, retail, and bio-energy,” said Ambani.

The tycoon added that their group’s telecom arm Reliance Jio achieved coverage of 98.8% in the state while Kolkata was 100% covered.

He also highlighted that Reliance Retail is expanding its presence in the state and Jio Mart has reached over 5 lakh grocery stores.

“Our network of nearly 1,000 retail stores will expand to over 1,200 in the next two years. Our retail business is supporting hundreds of MSMEs (micro, small & medium enterprises). We are bringing national fame to many regional brands of Bengal. For example, we have partnered with Prabhuji, Mukharochak, City Gold, Bisk Farm, and others and provided them with an unprecedented distribution reach across India. Furthermore, thanks to Jio Mart, 5.50 lakh kirana stores in the state have been brought under the umbrella of modern organised retail, resulting in higher productivity, income, and benefits of scale. We currently operate nearly 20 lakh square feet of warehouses in Bengal. And this will increase manifold,” the RIL chairman said.

Ambani also highlighted that India is the largest producer of bio-energy and is advancing in the bio-energy sector and promoting green energy.

“Reliance has become India’s largest bio-energy producer, based on the company’s own indigenous developed technology. We target to establish 100 compressed biogas plants in the next three years, using 5.5 million tonnes of farm residue and organic waste. We will also help farmers to grow energy plantations on a large scale. This would help mitigate nearly 2 million tonnes of carbon emissions and produce 2.5 million tonnes of organic manure annually,” he said.

“We are planning to set up compressed biogas plants in Bengal that will enable the state farmers to increase their income by doubling up as ‘anndatas and urja datas (producers of food and energy). With our current and new investments in these three businesses, Reliance will march together with the people of Bengal towards a future of shared prosperity, technological innovation, inclusivity, and harmony,” said Ambani.

Announcing the renovation and restoration work of the Kalighat Temple, Ambani said, “The Reliance Foundation is deeply committed to participating in the resurgence of glorious Bengal, a land where artistic and spiritual heritage is truly priceless. We are in the process of repairing the entire temple complex, including the century-old heritage structure, and restore its glory.”

Announcing more projects for the state, Ambani said they will collaborate with the state government to promote and make available handicraft and handloom products of Bengal through all retail channels.

“I am very happy to share with you that the Reliance Foundation is working together with the state government to make Biswa Bangla’s high-quality handicrafts and handloom products available through all our retail channels across India. We recently entered into an agreement with Biswa Bangla Corporation to enhance the outreach of Bengal’s heritage delicacies through our vast and growing retail distribution network,” he said.

The RIL chief added, “Third, Reliance recently launched a new initiative called ‘Swadesh’ to promote India’s incredibly rich and diverse traditional arts and crafts — both in India and globally. We are also setting up a large network of training institutes for the benefit of the younger generation of craftsmen. The Reliance Foundation plans to set up a training institute in Bengal with the cooperation of the state government.”

Described Chief Mamata Mamata Banerjee as “agni kanya” (woman composed of fire), the industrialist said, “Bengal is today standing taller, more vibrant and more confident of success in the future. This transformation has taken place because of your (Banerjee’s) visionary, strong, and determined leadership. Which is why, the people of Bengal have chosen you to lead them again and again… As late Atal Behari Vajpayee ji described you — you are truly an agni kanya. The fire of struggles and sacrifices has made your golden character shine brighter. And now you are making Shonar Bangla shine brighter,” he said.