Bengal's growth rate higher than nation's: Mamata

Kolkata, July 21 (IANS) Dismissing claims that West Bengal did not have a proper atmosphere for investment, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Saturday said the state's growth rate was above the national growth rate.

"Many people say that our state does not have a proper atmosphere for investment and industries. It is not true. In the last one year, we have managed to have investments worth Rs.1 lakh crore," said Banerjee.

She also said that the growth rate of the state was well above the national rate.

"We are having a growth rate which is currently higher than the national growth rate. The national growth rate in 2011-12 is 14.3 percent but our state is having a growth rate of 15.1 percent," she said.

She also said that the panchayat elections in the state might be held after the Durga Puja in October.

"We may have panchayat polls just after the Durga Puja. This time we have to bring change in the panchayats too. We have to win the Left Front-run zila parishads and rural bodies. Go back to your areas and reach out to the masses. We have to create a new Bengal through panchayats," she said.