Basu seeks French assistance for developmental issues

State Transport Minister Subhash Chakraborty, Tourism and Environment Minister Manab Mukherjee and Urban Development and Municipal Affairs Minister Ashok Bhattacharya were also present. The Chief Minister later said that among other things, he had talks with the delegation regarding the French multinational Accor Asia Pacific8217;s interest in taking over state government-run Great Eastern Hotel. Tourism Minister Manab Mukherjee said the French multi-national had shown its interest earlier too, but the initiative could not materialise due to various reasons.

8220;Now the company has shown its interest once again when we have already advertised inviting global tender,8221; he said, adding 8220;chances are there. It can respond to our advertisement8221;.

The delegation, which had an extensive meeting with Ashok Bhattacharya, also discussed various projects on water supply, solid waste management and development of sewerage system and canal system in the city.

The state government also asked for French expertise regarding development of these areas. Bhattacharya later said that an engineering delegation of the state government would soon visit France to pick up French expertise. However, the delegation was yet to be finalised, he said.

The state government also urged the delegation to renovate the heritage buildings at the erstwhile French colony Chandernagore and Calcutta. The French government is ready to provide loans and grants for many of these projects, the delegation said.

Besides North and South 24-Parganas districts, the delegation also expressed its willingness to undertake projects on supply of drinking water of the industrial city Haldia in Midnapore district, Bhattacharya said.