Coordinated effort of Centre & States key to India’s progress :
Vayalar Ravi at PBD
Mr Vayalar Ravi, Union Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs while welcoming the diaspora during the Session on “Global Indian : State Initiatives & Opportunities” at Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) 2012 said development in various sectors is a result of excellent coordination between the states and centre. National Development Council has been playing a pivotal role in strengthening the federal structure by mobilizing the efforts and resources for inclusive development”. He appealed to the overseas Indian community to take advantage of the presence of four Chief Ministers of emerging states of India which in itself is a very rare opportunity.
I am extremely positive about the potential and prospects of our rapidly emerging state, said Mr Oommen Chandy, Chief Minister of Kerala. Elaborating on the role of the diaspora in the State’s Economy, Mr Chandy said that NRI remittances account for 22% of the State GDP. Government of Kerala has initiated major welfare and social security schemes for the Non Resident Keralites like the Pravasi Kshema Nidhi and Pravasi Pension and Insurance coverage of up to Rs. 2.0 lac for a contribution of Rs. 300/-, he added.
Banking on the highest human development indicators of the state, Mr Chandy appealed to the diaspora to associate with the tailor made development agenda for growth of the state and India at large. He extended an invitation to “Emerging Kerala - 2012” an initiative for Global Investor Connect.
The major sectors identified for attracting investments, by Kerala, include IT and IT enabled services, Tourism, Healthcare, Education, Biotechnology, Food and Agro Processing, etc
Mr Ashok Gehlot, Chief Minister of Rajasthan said that Rajasthan is among the frontline states in the country registering a growth of 9.7% in 2010-11. The state has a leading position in mineral resources, making it an excellent destination for mineral based industries. The State Government is facilitating development of this sector through its Mineral Policy 2011. Agriculture and allied sector is another important area, registering a growth of 27% in 2010-11, and the Policy for promotion of Agro Processing Industries & Agri Business 2010 has been implemented.
Elaborating on the enabling environment, Mr Gehlot said that by 2013-14 the State would be self sufficient in power. The State is connected to the Jawahar Lal Nehru port, Kandla Port and Mundra Port and 39% of the Dedicated Freight Corridor would pass through Rajasthan. Work on development of a National Manufacturing and Investment Zone, a GOI project, has already started. Rajasthan Infrastructure Development Act is also being proposed to facilitate private investment into infrastructure.
The Rajasthan Enterprises Single Window Enabling and Clearing Act -2011 provides legal status to the Single Window System- a step which would facilitate investors. He also highlighted some of the major initiatives Governance initiatives including enactment of the Rajasthan Guaranteed Delivery of public Services Act 2011, ensuring time bound delivery of 108 services & E-Sugam – a public compliant portal. Proposed initiatives on this front include e-procurement system and Rajasthan Transparency Act.
The new State of Jharkhand is endowed with vast mineral reserves ideal for setting mines and mineral based industry said Mr Arjun Munda, Chief Minister of Jharkhand. It has the largest reserves of coal in the country and accounts for 20% and 10%, share in the national steel and aluminum production, respectively.
The other focus sectors identified by the State include IT & ITES for which an IT-SEZ is being set up at Jamshedpur, manufacturing –the state has many private and public sector companies, produces 40% of heavy commercial vehicles, quality and specialized healthcare and diagnostic units & hospitals, knowledge based industry for which a Knowledge City is being proposed near Ranchi, housing biotechnology and pharmaceutical parks and tourism. He invited the diaspora to invest in these sectors.
Mr Narendra Modi, Chief Minister of Gujarat, said that the remarkable development in the state and the double digit GDP growth that the State has enjoyed over the last so many years has been possible because of the Think Big approach of the state. He stressed upon Scale, Speed and Skill as three pillars of this approach which could make this century, a century of India.
Highlighting the broad canvas of development in Gujarat he said that Gujarat has 4,000 MW surplus electricity, which will increase to 7,000 MW by the end of this year; soon the state would be the global solar capital; attained broad band connectivity in all 18,000 villages in the State, 11% growth in agriculture over the last decade, 41 Universities across streams as specialized as forensic sciences, temple management and teacher education.
Sharing the future plans of the State, he said that State is targeting to produce 5 million cars annually and manufacture 5% of all the ships manufactured globally. The next big revolution would be the e- revolution touching all aspects of development in the state – e-governance, telemedicine, e-learning etc.