Chaibasa, May 27: The state’s hostile and “unfriendly” attitude towards the business fraternity is forcing businessmen to seek greener pastures. Two Chaibasa-based business barons have chosen the neighbouring states West Bengal and Orissa for their new ventures.

Rungta Mines Ltd, once among the top taxpayers from the country’s business community, is all set to construct a Ferro-manganese plant at Bishnupur in Bankura district of West Bengal.

Jain Group of Mines, an even bigger house, will set up Ferro- chrome plant at Dubri in the Jatpur district of Orissa.

Both the plants will start commercial production in a couple of months.

The heads of the houses said the environment in the state was “unfriendly” for business. Industry would not prosper under such circumstances, they said. That is why they were ready to invest outside, they added.

More than 200 mines are functional in the Chaibasa mining region. However, the mineral resources are exported.

President of the Eastern Zone Mining Association Nand Lal Rungta said the West Bengal Government readily approved the fundamental requirements for installing the new plant which are still a distant reality in Jharkhand.

Another mine owner Ashok Kumar Jain blamed the government for the situation. Asked why businessmen feel uncomfortable in investing money in West Singhbhum, Jain said the government failed to make land acquisition easy and provide perennial supply of water and uninterrupted electricity.

Jain told The Telegraph: “The government can’t provide the basic requirements. But other states, particularly West Bengal and Orissa are ready to provide the infrastructure. That’s why businessmen feel comfortable to invest money outside the state.”

He said the Chhotanagpur Tenancy Act, which the biggest bane in acquisition of tribal land, should be amended.

“By this law, the land is sold only among the indigenous tribal. But, there is scope for buying land for social welfare under terms and conditions. However, the rules are stringent,” said Jain.

The government is planning to form “land banks” in the districts, according to which, the willing businessmen can buy the land directly from the bank.

However, deputy commissioner Amrendra Pratap Singh said the project is in its initial stages due to shortage of manpower.

A senior bureaucrat, however, said the industry ministry is working hard and things would improve soon.