Jharkhand government is working progressively on higher education and skill development sector. It’s a fact that we are lagging in these two sectors but under the leadership of Hon’ble Chief Minister we are trying to overcome the problems. We are hopeful of progressing in higher education and skill development sector. Our government will give skill development training to more than 20 lakh people in the next five years, says Jharkhand Chief Secretary Raj Bala Verma in an exclusive Tete-a-tete with Gautam Debroy of Elets News Network (ENN)
What is your strategy for the development of Jharkhand?
We want to see Jharkhand amongst the top developed states in India. And I believe that industrial investment is a major necessity to bring such development. That is why we are trying to get more and more investors in our state. Jharkhand is rich in minerals and human resources, I believe, it is one such state that will attract investors not only from India but across the globe.
Jharkhand has vast industrial and physical infrastructure.We are focused in providing a friendly business environment and necessary infrastructure for the industries to establish and expand.
You have initiated road shows called Momentum Jharkhand. How is the response?
To attract investors in Jharkhand, we have done road shows in Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Delhi, Kolkata and Mumbai. We are getting good responses from all the road shows. We have received several proposals. We have already signed MoU with the several private companies.
Through our road show in Mumbai, we have signed four MoUs in health sector and in IT sector we have signed three MoUs. We have launched six policies as well and created good investment policies. The state government is also working in the right direction. With 40 percent mineral resources, I think, Jharkhand is prepared in the investment sectors and it is the best state as far as investment opportunities are concerned.
Several forward looking policies added with state government’s attractive investment climate, offers a stable and promising platform for industries to establish and grow.
In Mumbai you have launched six policies on six different sectors. What are the characteristics of these policies?
In Mumbai we have launched policies on Information Technology & IT Enabled Services (IT/ ITeS), Business Process Outsourcing (BPO), Start-up (best start-up policy among seven leading states in terms of ecosystem incentives), Electronic Systems Design & Manufacturing (ESDM), Automobile and Auto Components (best in class incentives for OEMs and ancillaries) and Textiles & Footwear.
We have given special incentives under all these six policies. In startups policy we have given opportunities to the young entrepreneurs. We have given special importance on the handholding and mentoring of the young entrepreneurs.
As far as Textiles & Footwear Policy is concerned, we have abundant raw materials and silk along with presence of a good number of quality handloom weavers and looms. We also have adequate skilled manpower at reasonable price. Several incentives under Jharkhand Industrial Park Policy 2015 are also applicable to textile sector.
Jharkhand is lagging behind many states in higher education and skill sector. What is your take on this?
It’s true, higher education and skill are the two major sectors, and we are really concerned with. It’s a fact that we are behind in these two sectors but under the leadership of Hon’ble Chief Minister we are trying to overcome the problems and take the state ahead in higher education and skill development sector. I am happy to inform you that our state government will give skill development training to more than 20 lakh people in the next five years. We are opening new colleges and universities in our state. In the last six months, we have opened three new private universities which includes Amity and Pragyan.
In February, you are doing Investors Summit at Ranchi. What are your expectations from such Summit?
We are all prepared to attract investors in Jharkhand. As I have told you earlier, we are giving special opportunities as well as incentives for the investors. We have created land banks so that the investors don’t face any problem as far as land requirement is concerned. We are expecting that investors from Indian and across the globe would definitely come and invest in the beautiful state of Jharkhand.
We have vast scope for mineral and mines based industries. In fact, we have already started getting good response in these two sectors. As far as Mumbai road show is concerned, we are expecting `60-70,000 crore investment opportunities including investment in power and cement plants.
What according to you at present is the biggest challenge for Jharkhand?
Getting investors in itself is a very big challenge. But we are prepared with proper strategy and planning. We believe that with the support of everybody we can overcome this challenge. To attract new investments, it is crucial for a state to communicate to the business fraternity