Areas with over one lakh population will be served with a better infrastructure via Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) scheme, says C R Chaudhary, Minister of State for Commerce and Industry and, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Government of India, in conversation with Gopi Krishna Arora of Elets News Network (ENN).
Since start-ups are also an important facet of Smart Cities Mission, what are the initiatives taken by the Central Government to nurture them?
We are completely focused on the young generation which is teeming with ideas. They must approach with some innovative ideas which can be nurtured by us. For the development of the nation, logistics with the right use of technology can contribute for the benefit of the nation as it accounts for around 16 per cent for our GDP. We have dedicated ourselves to start-ups. Currently, 10,000 start-ups have been registered and every year we get one lakh queries from them,which are patiently looked into.
We have invested Rs 25 crores in these start-ups with some amenities like work space, electricity for their good shape have also been provided by us. The Government of India is helping youth under the hand holding policy. The youths should be motivated and encouraged.
What is your message for startups and foreign investors who are interested to invest in India?
For start-ups, all the young inventors and innovators should never hesitate to start a company. Whatever facilities they require from India’s Commerce and Industry department, we will provide. Besides, if there is any extra requirement, we are ready to extend support to them. As far as the industries are concerned, we have three key motives: maximum production with zero defect and zero effect, which means good quality products. Second is maximum export and third is maximum employment.
Any foreign establishment, ready to invest in India, we welcome it with a condition to establish an industry right here that will give employment to our young generation. Earlier, there was restriction on Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) but today 90 per cent of FDI is coming by automatic route. There are some restrictions but in Defence sector, Railway sector and in Insurance sector, it shall not be a matter.
Give us your view of ‘ease of doing’ business. What plans do you have to boost it?
All the complexities related to ‘ease of doing business’ are reduced. Simplification and notification of rules is done for registration, paying electricity, and environment clearance. There are 36 white industries, which need not to go anywhere because they have been given facility of automatic clearance. The pollution is cleared within no time.
Similarly, the issues related to import and export are solved ideally owing to online facilities which have played an important role in reducing manual interface. According to the survey of the World Bank, our ranking has jumped from 130 to 100 and our target is to get in top 50 next year. The Prime Minister has openly spoken about giving support to people who bring business to the country. When there are many investors in the nation it will give increase production that will automatically give jobs to youths. According to the world competition, the country with maximum production with requisite quality in the current scenario is the most successful country in the world. Perform, reform and transform – that is out motto.
How has been your experience in EletsStartup festival and Smart City Summit, Surat?
It was a superior experience and as per Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision to develop 100 Smart Cities wherein people will easily get water, electricity, housing, transportation, education, and health facilities, we are making efforts. These Smart Cities should become a specimen for other cities and villages. Besides, the Government is building infrastructure under its AMRUT scheme for areas with population more than one lakh. Surat has made its place in the first five cities out of 100 in the Smart Cities Mission and also more than 50 projects were considered in it out of which 40 are on the track of completion. One of the projects that I observed is Surat Diamond project wherein the world’s largest single commercial building providing amenities will be set up. So, these conferences must be organised in order to make more and more people aware about what is happening in the country in terms of development.