Bhartia takes charge as new CII chief

Inclusive growth and job creation are on the top agenda for the Confederation of Indian Industry’s new president, Hari S Bhartia, who took over the charge from TVS Chairman Venu Srinivasan. Agriculture and the private sector account for the bulk of the jobs created in the Indian economy and Bhartia sees the private sector emerging as the primary driver for job creation.

The private sector needs to grow at over 12 per cent annually from an estimated 9.5 per cent presently to close the job gap. While 94 million new jobs would be required, only 77 million would be created.

To achieve a 10 per cent growth by 2014 that is sustainable and inclusive, he has a 10-point agenda. He says agriculture needs to grow at four per cent and manufacturing requires to register 11-12 per cent long-term average growth.

Apart from pushing policy initiatives in manufacturing, Bhartia, also co-chairman and managing director of Jubilant Organosys, said CII would launch its cluster programme. “CII, in partnership with the government, would establish 30 Industry-Academia Innovation Centres across the country, with one centre in each state. To enhance employability, CII would set up 10 new Skill Development Centres during the course of the year,” Bhartia stated.