Gujarat a leader in power and energy sectors: BJP

Gujarat government today told the Legislative Assembly that the state has emerged a leader in power and energy sectors under BJP rule, drawing sharp reaction from opposition Congress which claimed the industrial growth is sans employment generation.
"As a result of state government policies and efforts of past 12 years, Gujarat has become number one state in the country in Energy and Industry and will remain number one," said Minister of State for Industry Saurabh Patel amid intense debate over budgetary demands for the energy, petrochemicals and industry departments for year 2013-14.
Proposing to pass total budgetary demands of Rs 7,427 crore, including capital and revenue expenses for energy and petrochemicals, industry, mines and mineral departments for year 2013-14, in House, Patel claimed that Gujarat will retain its 'numero uno' tag in industry and energy sectors of the country.

In support of his claims, Patel cited some figures related to Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) terminal capacities saying the "central government is dependent on Dabhol terminal where LNG capacity is 1.5 Million Metric Tonne(MMT) whereas in Gujarat, we have total of 14.6 MMT capacity, including 11 MMT at Dahej terminal and 3.6 MMT at Hajira terminal".
He said the government has set the target of adding 11.5 MMT LNG import capacity in next five years.
"Similarly, Gujarat is leading in power generation, which our government is aiming to increase to 25,979 MW by year 2015 from the present 17,169 MW," Patel said.

He attributed the growth to "stability and favourable policies" of the state government. "Gujarat has become a favourite destination for industries....This is the reason Gujarat is called as the growth engine of the country," he added.
Patel said that many states in the country have imitated the manufacturing, textile and cotton policies of Gujarat.
However, Congress members rejected the claims, saying the policies of BJP government in past 12 years have in fact resulted into a "jobless" industrial growth.