CII's new growth agenda for Uttarakhand

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In a unique initiative ahead of the Assembly elections in Uttarakhand which are due in February next year, the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has released a growth agenda for all political parties with an aim to sustain the growth momentum.

The document prepared by CII Uttarakhand state council suggests specific policy measures, initiatives and projects which would help the hill state sustain the growth momentum that it has achieved over the last one decade of its existence.

Elaborating on the recommendations, Dr S Farooq, chairman of the state council, said Uttarakhand has achieved remarkable growth during the past few years. According to official estimate, the growth rate in Uttarakhand is 11.5 per cent.

This growth has been led largely by the manufacturing sector. The sector in the state grew at 27.5 per cent per annum as against the national average of 9.5 per cent. Within manufacturing, the focus will have to be on medium and small enterprises and encouraging ancillarisation.

The development of hills has to be another key focus area for achieving sustainable inclusive growth. The report suggests making tourism the mainstay of hill development.

“This is necessary to be able to achieve a wider geographical spread for manufacturing. Till now most of the new units have come up in districts of Haridwar, Udhamsingh Nagar and Dehradun,” it said.

Related activities like the souvenir industry, handlooms and handicrafts also need to be focused upon. MSMEs based on the local resources, for example agro based units, or units based on processing of herbs and aromatic plants should be encouraged. Service sector, specially education can play a vital role in promoting hill development.

The report suggests creation of ‘education hubs’, one each in Garhwal and Kumaon.

Good infrastructure and connectivity are essential to support the economic activity in the hills, emphasised Dr Farooq. Besides, an investment friendly climate will also play a key role in determining what further manufacturing investment comes into the state, he said.

Availability of skilled manpower is an important element of investment attractiveness. CII suggests setting up of skill gurkuls which are residential skill facilities for school dropouts from BPL families. Another unique characteristic of the skill gurukul model is its partnership with industry which ensure employment to the employable.

The key areas that the report focuses on include: zoning plans for districts, improving connectivity, industrial development, special tourism zones, skill gurukuls, apna – ghar: low cost housing scheme, improving urban infrastructure, hill development and environment conservation.

The report has been presented by CII to state planning minister Prakash Pant, leader of the opposition Harak Singh Rawat,

Congress leader Satpal Maharaj as part of CII’s dialogue with various political parties to share and exchange ideas for the development of the state.

BS