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| Madhya Pradesh to encourage NRIs in new industrial policy |
| Shashikant Trivedi / New Delhi/ Bhopal Feb 13, 2010, 00:30 IST |
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After receiving mixed reactions from non-resident Indians (NRIs), the Madhya Pradesh government has announced to provide space for them in the forthcoming industry policy. On one hand Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan tried to brand the state before them, on the other he remain ed silent on ‘babudom’ and ducked a volley of questions raised by more than 100 NRIs in a programme recently organised by State Industries Development Corporation – an ailing arm of the state industry department.
While luring them with benefit of value added tax refund as investment promotion incentive for additional two years, Chouhan has promised to accord all NRIs high priority on land allotment. A special cell will also be opened for the NRIs so that they can lodge their complaints, with a secretary rank official directly looking into the matter.
Though most of the NRIs echoed each others’ voice by pointing out that ‘babus’ were the biggest hurdle in making investment in any sector, few made promises too to make investment including a firm from the Netherland. Company head V Khosla said,“I have entered into tie-up with Welcome Heritage hotel group, Clarks and Fortune group of Hotels across India. I will come up with two facilities in Bhopal and Indore by February,” he said and added, “The state government neither interferes nor helps us.” Another Gulf-based NRI Naheed Shaeen evinced interest in fine jewellry business and education.
Later Chouhan held a marathon interactive session with them to spell out his intentions to attract investment but in absence of a proper policy he had to skip various issues raised by the NRIs on procedural delays. He also remained silent on laying emphasis on sector-wise investment policy.
“I admit there are problems but we want to develop cultural relations with the NRIs,” said Chouhan. The meet was a part of Destination Madhya Pradesh-II organised by Madhya Pradesh State Industrial Development Corporation in association with ILFI and Ficci. The Ficci officials are upbeat on the programme and hopes this exercise will catapult the state on world map. “The state is realising the fact that food processing, agriculture and infrastructure sector needs focus. Infrastructure sector needs more investment as it is promising in Madhya Pradesh. Projects like DMIC (Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor) will definitely pave way for the state to attract big-ticket investment,” Ficci additional secretary general Mahesh Reddy, said.
Two more programmes are on the anvil to attract investment from investors. In the last two years Madhya Pradesh has realised Rs 2,000 crore investment and R 13,000 crore is underway. However a proper policy and political will are the need of the hour to drag the state out of the ‘Bimaru States’ category.
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