(Pervez Bari) Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mr. Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said that Madhya Pradesh will be self-reliant in energy sector in next two years. Every village in the state will start getting power for 24 hours from next year. He said that with ever increasing growth rate, Madhya Pradesh will contribute maximum to GDP of the country.
Mr. Chouhan was holding direct dialogue with representatives of industries. He held discussions with industrialists in Delhi on Wednesday in the series of his dialogue with them for investment in the state, an official spokesman here said.
Mr. Chouhan said that the state has made progress in every field. Agricultural growth rate has increased to 18 percent. Milk production is increasing. Sectors associated with agriculture are witnessing speedy growth. He said that no one in the state will be allowed to be poor. Every person will be linked directly with development and benefited. He said that the State Government also wishes to promote small industries. Two lakh small-scale industries have been established during the last two years.
Chief Minister Mr. Chouhan said that investment is being invited in all the sectors. Richness of land resources is state’s strength. Land bank of 20,000 hectares has been developed for industries. He said that more attention is being paid to skill development so that industries can get skilled manpower. Madhya Pradesh is on the verge of emerging as an education hub. Similarly, investment is also being promoted for establishment of medical education and special treatment facilities in the state, he added.
Throwing light on specialities of Madhya Pradesh, Additional Chief Secretary Mr. Prasanna Kumar Dash said that presence of the industrial houses is increasing in Madhya Pradesh. He said that state’s annual growth rate is more than the national average. As many as 27 industrial estates are being developed to promote industries. Requisite infrastructure for industries is being constantly strengthened. New sector of food processing and value addition is ready for investment following speedy agricultural growth. He said that the state will become self-reliant in energy till 2014. Power will be supplied for 24 hours to villages from the next year. Immense investment potential has developed in solar, wind and biomass energy sectors. He said that interest of industrial houses and corporate world in the state is increasing.
Investment proposals of Rs.25,000 cr.
Meanwhile, industrialists held open discussions with Chief Minister Mr. Shivraj Singh Chouhan and senior officers of the state and exchanged information with them. Enthused by the Chief Minister’s invitation to invest in the state, the industrialists held open mutual discussions about their expectations, aspirations and apprehensions. Industries Minister Mr. Kailash Vijayvargiya also addressed industrialists on the occasion.
It was informed that investment proposals worth about Rs.25,000 crore were also made during the discussions. Industrialists were enthusiastic about new investment sectors like defence banking and tourist industries.
Chief Minister Mr. Chouhan, Chief Secretary Mr. R. Parasuram and other senior officers gave replies to questions of industrialists. TRIFAC Managing Director Mr. Arun Bhatt proposed a vote of thanks.
Chouhan holds discussions with prominent industrial groups
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Chouhan held one-to-one discussions with prominent industrial groups in New Delhi on Wednesday. Lauding industry-friendly policy and development programmes in Madhya Pradesh, the industrial groups described state’s political leadership as conducive for industrial development. Mr. Alok Modi of Gujarat Guardian proposed to invest Rs.1,000 crore in glass manufacturing at Malanpur in Morena district. Of this, Rs.750 crore will be invested in the first phase. He also expressed willingness to invest in wind energy sector.
Kargil India is interested in investment in soybean and wheat food processing. The Chief Minister said that Madhya Pradesh is an ideal state for major food products companies and food processing units. The State Government wishes that processing and value addition of state’s crops is made. He said that the state has a well-defined food processing policy. This is beneficial for both farmers and investors.
Mr. K. K. Agrawal of DORS Logistics expressed willingness to invest in container train and freight infrastructure. Referring to the State Government’s industry-friendly policies, Mr. Arun Bhagat Ram of SRF said that Malanpur will emerge as the most ideal investment destination in future. He said that thanks to the State Government’s cooperation, SRF has grown into a Rs.1200 crore company from Rs. 200 crore.
Bestek Group with the partnership of International Hotel Chain Group Carlson is willing to open budget hotels at Bhopal and Jabalpur. The Chief Minister said that budget hotels are needed for growing cities. He said that there is immense potential of budget hotels at Singrauli. Besides, attention should also be paid to convert heritage places into hotels. Fortem Company discussed a proposal regarding setting up of solar and biomass energy projects. Mr. Chouhan said that there is immense investment potential in the state in the two sectors. Madhya Pradesh has given golden opportunities to investors through its well-defined policies.
Mr. Sameer Kanwar of Bharat Gears said that the company wishes to expand its unit in the state. Phillips Electronics India held discussions on a proposal regarding lighting arrangements at state’s cities and heritage sites. Mr. Vikas Jain of The Malt wishes to cultivate barley on contract basis. The Chief Minister said that farmers should get its utmost benefit. He said that there is immense potential of food processing and value addition. New investments in this sector are welcome.
Apollo Hospital Group made a proposal for opening four hospitals equipped with special facilities at Bhopal, Indore, Gwalior and Jabalpur. The Chief Minister said that the State Government wishes that people of the state may not have to go outside the state for treatment. He said that besides facilities, education and research also need to be expanded. On the proposal regarding cancer screening, the Chief Minister said that it is necessary for detecting cancer at initial stage. Mr. Ravi Jhunjhunwala of Bhilwara and Mr. J.K. Gupta of Kanta Chemicals held discussions on their respective proposals. Kanta Chemicals wishes to invest in cultivation and processing of medicinal plants.
Principal Secretary Urban Administration Mr. S.P.S. Parihar, Agriculture Production Commissioner Mr. Madan Mohan Upadhyay, Principal Secretary Health Mr. Praveer Krishna and senior officers were present on the occasion.
Meanwhile, several industrialists and representatives of industrial houses called on Chief Minister Mr. Shivraj Singh Chouhan in New Delhi. They included Director (Raw Material) of Steel Authority of India Mr. A. K. Pandey and Executive Director Mr. Ajay Mathur, Managing Director (steel business) of M. Tech Limited Mr. Nandkishore Tyori, Commercial Vehicles Limited CEO Mr. Vinod Agrawal, Somani Ceramics vice-president Mr. R. P. Mittal and Mr. Rajiv Lochan of Shakti Bhog Food Products.
These industrialists expressed their willingness about investment during their meetings with Mr. Chouhan. Giving information about their respective proposals, they also enumerated their expectations from the State Government.(pervezbari@eth.net)