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The West Bengal Govt's new policy to build a shopping mall in every district, ostensibly to uplift local artisans, is a masterclass in how not to merge social welfare with commerce. - It is a framework built on a fundamental misunderstanding of retail economics and is almost certainly destined to fail - Why? It forces a marriage between a consumer seeking a Zara outfit and an artisan selling terracotta dolls Let me explain in depth. .. The policy's heart is seemingly in the right place. By announcing land to developers at a nominal Re 1, Mamata Banerjee has aimed to build a lot of premium real estate and drive growth in every district of the state (much off which remain insanely backward). However, this noble intention collapses under the weight of its own flawed logic. The policy mandates that any developer accepting the land must reserve two entire floors for these SHGs. This condition reveals a staggering ignorance of commercial real estate finance. .. A developer's investment of crores is not just in the land - it is sunk into construction, high-end interiors, central air-conditioning, marketing, and ongoing management. These colossal costs are recouped through high rents from established national and international brands, not from SHGs who cannot pay. The "free" land does little to offset the crippling financial black hole of two non-revenue-generating floors. .. More critically, the policy creates a jarring customer mismatch that is impossible to ignore. People go to malls for a very specific, curated experience: to buy branded apparel, watch a film at a multiplex, dine at a global food chain, or purchase electronics. It is a monumental leap of faith to assume that this consumer, having just bought a new smartphone, will then ascend to another floor to purchase locally made pickles, jute bags, or dokra art. These are not complementary product categories - they are entirely different ecosystems - I CAN BE WRONG. .. Plus, this bizarre retail experiment is compounded by a glaring lack of crucial details. - Which two floors must be reserved? The prime, high-footfall ground and first floors, or the less desirable top floors where businesses often struggle? - How much area must be allocated, and on what commercial terms? Is it to be rent-free, or based on a subsidised model? Without clear answers, no serious developer can even begin to formulate a business plan. It feels less like a well-thought-out strategy and more like a populist announcement designed for headlines rather than sustainable impact.