Inaugurating the 15th State Science and Technology Congress at Shibpur's Bengal Engineering and Science University (BESU), he said the state is witnessing problems from various quarters which could be countered with science.

He also announced the setting up of an International Centre on Nano Science, National Institute on Molecular Science and a National institute of Ocean Science and Technology along with National Institute of Coastal Management and Mangrove Research and IT institute of Kalyani for post-graduate teaching.

"We have neither a permanent policy on coastal management nor a solution for land erosion by rivers," Bhattacharjee said. The arsenic treatment plants used for combating arsenic pollution are based on foreign technology. "If we can use small and medium indigenous technology for water treatment it will be beneficial to the state, Bhattacharjee said.

The CM argued that productivity will remain stagnant if technology is not used for high quality seeds and organic fertilisers.

He referred to jute and potato production, where the state leads the country. But still, the state is dependent on Maharashtra for jute seeds and Punjab for potato seeds.