SOON after assuming the office, four years back, Vasundhara Raje-led BJP government in Rajasthan initiated steps for the fast industrialisation of the state. The neighbouring Gujarat was the immediate role model for Rajasthan as Narendra Modi'sgovernment, despite under attack from the opposition, was able to attract maximum investment during all these years.
Shortage of power and lack of good road network were the two mains constrains, which came in the way to persuade major companies in the country to come forward for investment in Rajasthan.
Now after four years of rule, the BJP government has turned the state into the state having number one road network. The power projects started by the government are set to produce power by early next year. With this, Rajasthan is set to become the state, where power would be surplus.
After achieving these two major tasks, Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, in August last sat with the senior officials and decided to approach the leading industrial houses and individual entrepreneurs to come to Rajasthan for investment. For next four months, officers toured the other states to get in touch with industrial houses to attend the Resurgent Rajasthan Partnership Summit.
If the enthusiasm shown by leading companies and entrepreneurs of the country during the two-day Resurgent Rajasthan Partnership Summit, held in the state capital from November 30, is materialised timely and in right direction, Rajasthan would emerge as a leading industrial state in next couple of years.
A galaxy of leading industrialists was present at the summit, one of the mega event in the recent past, which was jointly organised by Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industries (FICCI) and Rajasthan government.
About 300 companies signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with government. These companies and entrepreneurs intend to invest over Rs 1,50,000 crore in various sectors. M.V. Kamath, Managing Director of ICICI Bank, was the first to announce at the summit that his bank would set up its northern hub at Jaipur, which would provide jobs to at least 20,000 youths.
A day before the summit, the centre had announced to create a 1500-km-long western industrial corridor between Delhi and Mumbai. Number of facilities and concessions would be extended to those who want to set up their units in this proposed corridor area. About 40 per cent of this corridor would pass through Rajasthan. Similarity, at least 45 per cent western freight corridor would fall in Rajasthan.
Under a policy IT sector has been made public utility service, to keep the sector away from strikes. To develop IT parks it would help in getting the land and 50 per cent concession on electricity for seven years. No labour laws would be enforced in IT and special IT zones.
The presence of NASSCOM president, Kiran Karnik and M.D. Pai of Infosys on the occasion shows how closely leaders of IT sector are keeping their eyes on Rajasthan to expand their operation in new areas.
