KOLKATA, 8 NOV: The state government is contemplating sending a joint delegation with representatives from leading business chambers to Delhi to press the Centre to lift the embargo on environmental clearances for new industries in the state. Emerging out of a nearly two-hour meeting of the state's industrial core committee at the West Bengal Industrial Development Corporation (WBIDC) office on Camac Street this afternoon, Industries Minister Partha Chatterjee said representatives of various industrial bodies have expressed concern over the moratorium on environment clearances for new industries and expansions of existing ones, which require the Centre's nod. "The government is also of the view that the moratorium is affecting the pace of industrialisation in the state. In particular, the expansion of industries has got affected at Haldia," the minister said. “I have assured them that I will once again write to Centre on the issue. We are also contemplating sending a joint delegation to Delhi with the business chambers to press for lifting of the embargo.” Mr Chatterjee said that the main items on the agenda during today's core committee meeting were to take stock of the state's overall industrial scenario and discuss preparedness for “Bengal Leads” ~ an industrial trade fair to be held at Haldia starting on 17 January. "I have also urged members of all business chambers to attend the Bijoya Sammelani dinner that the chief minister is hosting in Kolkata tomorrow," he said.