Pvt Sector Role Sought In Infrastucture Development

In his concluding speech to the forum, T G Venkataraman, Union surface transport minister and chairperson of the UN-Escap ministerial conference, said the alliance represented the vital importance of private sector participation in the development of infrastructure.

He emphasised the need for changes in the legislative, regulatory and administrative systems to make the environment more investor-friendly.

Venkataraman said the principal outcome of the conference, which was the New Delhi declaration on infrastructure development in Asia and the Pacific, affirmed that infrastructure policies in a number of listed areas needed to be formulated and implemented in countries of the region.

The concluding session was also addressed by heads of various panel discussions held during the conference.

One of the speakers suggested that an international third party should be appointed to act as a referee while evaluating bids.

Another speaker said the public sector should be allowed to hold equity in infrastructure projects.

A third speaker sought a generous compensation package for those opting for the golden handshake scheme. The speaker also called for performance-based incentives for those employees who had stayed back in their jobs to redress grievances.