In a revelation that could intensify the political debate over the state of West Bengal’s economy, the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) informed the Rajya Sabha that a total of 6,688 companies have relocated their registered offices from West Bengal to other Indian states between April 1, 2011, and March 31, 2025. This disclosure, made in a written reply in the Upper House on July 22, provides a state-wise breakdown of where these companies moved and reflects growing concerns over West Bengal’s business environment under the Trinamool Congress (TMC) government.
Where the Companies Went
According to the Ministry’s data: 1,308 companies shifted their registered offices to Maharashtra, 1,297 moved to Delhi, 879 chose Uttar Pradesh, 511 opted for Chhattisgarh, and 423 relocated to Gujarat.
The figures also highlight smaller but significant migrations to states like Rajasthan, Assam, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana, each attracting hundreds of companies that once operated from West Bengal.
The exodus comes amid longstanding concerns raised by industry groups over policy unpredictability, administrative hurdles, and lack of ease of doing business in the state.
Political Firestorm: BJP blames TMC’s Governance
Reacting sharply to the data, BJP IT Cell head Amit Malviya took to X (formerly Twitter) to slam the Mamata Banerjee-led TMC government. Calling it a “mass exodus,” Malviya wrote,
“6,688 companies left West Bengal in the last 14 years! Under the Trinamool Congress government led by Mamata Banerjee, thousands of firms have relocated, citing poor governance, lack of investor confidence, and policy instability.”
Malviya pointed out that 110 of these firms were listed companies, implying that even publicly traded corporations with market exposure felt compelled to exit the state.
“While Bengal once stood as a hub for enterprise, poor governance and the lack of policy clarity have driven companies away,” he said.
Exodus peaked under TMC Rule
Malviya also released a year-wise breakdown, showing a steady rise in the number of firms leaving the state:
2015–16 saw 869 companies relocating, 2016–17 saw 918 exits, and in 2017–18, the number peaked at 1,027 companies.
He asserted that the trend reflected not just numbers but a systematic economic decline, blaming the TMC government for the shrinking job market and deteriorating investor sentiment.
“This is not just about corporate paperwork. Each company that left represents lost jobs, weakened economic output, and a signal to future investors that Bengal is no longer the destination it once was,” Malviya added.
TMC Yet to Respond
As of the time of publishing this report, the West Bengal government or the Trinamool Congress had not issued an official response to the MCA’s data or Malviya’s accusations.
However, in the past, the Mamata Banerjee-led administration has often defended its industrial policies, citing major investments in the MSME sector and infrastructure development as proof of its pro-business stance.
West Bengal’s Industrial Past and Present
Once considered one of India’s most industrialised states, West Bengal’s economic journey has been marred by stagnation and capital flight since the 1970s. Although Mamata Banerjee came to power in 2011 on promises of industrial revival, many critics say the investment climate has continued to deteriorate, particularly due to frequent political agitations, labour unrest, and bureaucratic red tape.
The relocation of 6,688 firms over 14 years is now emerging as a flashpoint in the political battle between the BJP and the TMC. While opposition leaders view the exodus as an indictment of Mamata Banerjee’s governance, the state government is likely to counter with its own economic performance metrics.
Comments