We will select 12 states who will champion the cause: Amitabh Kant

Interview with Secretary, DIPP, Ministry of Commerce and Industry

Amitabh Kant, secretary, Department of Industrial Policy Promotion (DIPP), Ministry of Commerce and Industry in an interview with Nayanima Basu said DIPP would now be raising the benchmark by introducing a 330-point action plan. Excerpts:

What are your views on the ranking?

We collated all the data required and handed it over to the World Bank, which came out with a very professional report. This year it was based on 98 points and the World Bank conducted a micro-analysis of the states.

This is going to be an annual exercise. Are you planning to raise the bar?

Next year, it is going to be based on a 330-point action plan on which the states have to work. We will set up a portal that will indicate their performance almost in real time. By October 10 we will give them the points to work upon and the portal will be up by next month.

How do the states view this ranking?

They are all aware of where they stand. The report says everything. This was a very rigorous exercise and the World Bank has shown thorough professionalism. This was done in an extremely transparent manner and it is there for everyone to see where they stand, why they received a particular ranking.

The report clubs some states. How will you choose the leaders?

Certain states have been clubbed to show where they stand. Out of these we are going to select 12 states to champion the cause of ease of doing business in India.