But that development took on a more hopeful note with the selection of Amit Mitra as finance secretary in West Bengal.

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Amit Mitra, of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry, supports similar schemes, as well as preferment schemes by banks.

ECONOMIST: Job-preferment in India

The finance minister, Amit Mitra, an economist and former boss of India's main business lobby, stands in an office in Writers' Building, once used by the East India Company.

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