The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has made public its 'Economic Agenda of Chhattisgarh' for inclusion in poll manifestoes of various political parties. Chhattisgarh host polls in two phasesn in November.
In its ten-point agenda, the CII firstly recommended a comprehensive set of actions which include the need for comprehensive approach towards Agriculture & Food Processing sectors, a CII press release issued here on Friday stated. It has recommended a long-term view on development of multiple food parks, focused on different crops.
There is a need to develop an integrated plan towards developing the same with all necessary logistics and other infrastructure support. Special emphasis is to be laid on providing training to farmers with respect to scientific agricultural practices. A detailed skills assessment to map the training needs based on required skills and future opportunities need to be carried out, it stated.
Secondly, CII was of the view that there is a need to work on attractiveness of Chhattisgarh as a prime tourist destination as well as of secondary interest while on tours to the other destinations globally and nationally.
There is a need to blend in the advantages of natural beauty and resources led tourism with the art and crafts advantage that Chhattisgarh has historically enjoyed respect for. An updated policy to further the art and craft aspect of the State is the need of the hour, it stated.
Thirdly, importance of Education infrastructure is to be ramped up across the State to ensure primary education facilities are available to 100% of the population in every district. Primary education centers to be located within a 1.5 km radius of rural settlements, it recommended.
Emphasis is to be laid upon revamping teaching methodology as well as up gradation of curriculum with special stress on practicum. Stress is to be laid on innovative learning principles. There is a need to promote Public – Private Partnerships in employability and entrepreneurship development in the tribal areas of Chhattisgarh to make growth inclusive and sustainable, it stated.
Fourthly, is that the State need to focus on creating health human resources - Development of Nursing Colleges needs to be encouraged under PPP mode. Encourage setting up of medical and healthcare facilities as well as technological up gradation – in the urban as well as rural areas.
While a large number of people in Chhattisgarh already engaged in the IT and ITES industry the world over, there is a need to view this industry as strategic to the socio-economic aspirations of its society, the CII considered should be the fifth agenda of the Government in power.
Sixth in the list of recommendations was the importance to leverage the power of MSME sector to spread development amongst tribals, rural as well as other economically underprivileged sections of society. Manufacturing sector need to be paid special attention to for all round growth of the socio-economic environment.
There is a need to create specialised Manufacturing Park with in-built MSME facilitation cell, R&D laboratories, testing facilities, skills development centre, common effluent treatment plant, university campus and financial institutions.
Seventh is a suggestion for improvement & up gradation of facilities and infrastructure for a future pointing towards higher decentralisation of availability of Government services, it stated.
The eighth suggestion of CII is to improve hinterland connectivity through the right mix of national highways, urban and rural roads. Special attention should be paid to significantly backward areas as well as the State should develop a list of priority zones where infrastructure push would be much higher to generate maximal impact for the population.
Ninth in the list is the recommendation for special focus to support programs for upliftment of the economically under-privileged sections through self-help groups, self-employment schemes etc. There is a need to explore opportunities for leveraging the UID project for enhancing the reach of the services to the target population, improve governance of various projects as well as increase financial inclusion of the weaker sections of society.
And finally, CII has suggested that there should be focus on implementation. Fast track execution of planned infrastructure projects and also plans new ones with a holistic, longer term roadmap. Special focus needs to be paid to quality and efficient execution of plans, schemes and projects. Also, initiate investment promotion campaigns. Special focus should be paid to involve NRIs and other sympathisers outside Chhattisgarh.
Chhattisgarh has unique opportunity to transform itself into an engine of growth, meeting the problems of the state and the nation while also riding the wave of opportunity presented by the India story. Given the present situation, it is not just the facts and figures but also the brand, “Chhattisgarh” that needs to be paid attention to – in the journey of lasting sustenance and progress, it stated.
The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) announced its recommendations for inclusion in the manifestoes of political parties on October 9 in Raipur in a news conference addressed by its Secretary General D S Rawat.