Investment declined in Jharkhand: Assocham

Investors' confidence in Jharkhand has been shaken over the years, according to a study released by Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (Assocham) on Saturday.

The study said: "As of 2014-15 Jharkhand attracted total outstanding investments worth Rs 6.4 lakh crore with manufacturing sector garnering lion's share of about 52 per cent followed by electricity (37 per cent) and mining (six per cent)."

"New investments attracted by Jharkhand each year have declined sharply from over Rs 1 lakh crore in 2005-06 to Rs 33,000 crore in 2014-15."

Besides, the state's share in new investments attracted by various sectors across India has declined from about 15 per cent in 2005-06 to just three per cent in 2014-15, said the study 'Delay in investment implementation in Jharkhand: An analysis'.

"Besides, Jharkhand's contribution to India's GDP during the period 2004-05 to 2013-14 has also dropped from two per cent in 2004-05 to 1.9 per cent in 2013-14 thereby showcasing the sluggish economic growth in the state," said the study prepared by the Assocham Economic Research Bureau (AERB).

"Delay in land acquisition, lack of clearances (both environment and non-environment), fund constraints, poor promoter interest, unfavourable market conditions, dearth of skilled labour, poor supply of fuel/feedstock/raw material, law and order problems are certain key factors that have resulted in serious cost overruns," said Assocham secretary D S Rawat.

Mineral-rich Jharkhand is grappling with a depressing state of industrial growth evidently as the state ranked has on the last rung amid top 20 states across India with a meagre 1.2 per cent compounded annual growth rate registered by the state in this sector during 2004-05 and 2013-14, the study added.