As all eyes are riveted on counting in Jharkhand, ‘stability’ is one thing that everyone is expecting especially industries that depend on long term policy measures that often comes naturally with a Government that survives for full-term. For industries in Jharkhand growth itself was an issue hence a stable Government is what they believe is in the interest of the State experiencing inertia in industrialisation.
For the moment, exit polls pointing at stable Government in the history of Jharkhand have made industry optimistic about better prospects of sustainable growth and also an opportunity to rise and march forward by undoing mistakes of past. “Forget bygones and let’s look for a government that cares for the interest of all. Today people give examples of Gujarat and I hope in future they will cite Jharkhand as example,” said Chief of Communications, MECON, Rana Chakraverty.
Industrial policy which often gets sacrificed at the altar of political rivalry between centre and state has long been the impediment in smooth operation of industries especially in Jharkhand where coal-block allocation hit operations of private as well as public sector undertakings besides obstacles in the form environmental clearances are some of the areas where industry expects state government should deliver.
“Certain law related to industry comes under the ambit of both central and state government. Sometimes both come in conflict. As of now we hope that if similar (same party) government exists both at the centre and state then there will harmony between the two and that will help industries,” said PRO of SAIl, Ujjwal Bhaskar.
Fast settlement of issues, proper clearances, better implementation of land acquisition policies and proper rehabilitation of people displaced, coal block allocations to companies who are waiting for starting operations are the issues industries have kept their eyes on with hope that times will change for companies who have been in the State for many years. Incidentally, hurdles have forced many corporate houses to shelve their investment plan for Jharkhand.
“As an ordinary citizen I will definitely expect that the State doesn’t unsettle me and there should be proper land acquisition policy. We are in steel and power industry and for running that we need coal and iron ore. Initially coal block was allocated to us and later it was taken back. We were in a dilemma. Now with a stable government at the centre and similar stable government in state will do a lot of good for industry like power,” said VP (Corporate Communications), Jindal Power & Steel, Dr Arun Kumar Oraon.