Born on November 1, 2001, Chhattisgarh, a 21st Century State is the richest State in mineral resources. Good governance is the highest priority in this fast track state, thanks to the State Executive. There is both policy stability as well as political stability. Government has been kept small and the state is in excellent fiscal health.
Rapid industrialization in the state under the guidance of the Ruling Government has led to the setting up of steel, aluminium and cement plants.
Because of a unique Private Universities Act that has been passed by the State Government to attract investments in quality higher-education, the state contributes substantially to the Human Resources of India.
Chhattisgarh has a dream of creating a knowledge society, by harnessing the power of Information and Communication Technology; a society that is driven by equal opportunity and social justice; a society where opportunities to its people are not hyphenated by their geographical location, education or social standing. To achieve this dream, the State Government has enunciated many initiatives in the ICT sector, which will deliver significant benefits to the citizens and businesses. It is the Government’s stated vision of pioneering e-Governance initiatives in India that serve as a benchmark for others to follow.
It is the endeavour of the state Government to work towards rapid economic growth with regional balance so as to take the state to the category of "developed states". To bring about prosperity to the people of Chhattisgarh, it is necessary that the present rate of industrial growth increases substantially. Therefore, creation of a favourable investment environment for increasing industrial production and creating employment opportunities is one of the priority areas of the State Government.
The strategy towards the same includes:
- To take measures for ensuring availability of necessary basic industrial infrastructure like rail-road, power, water, etc.
- To encourage private sector for providing quality roads, developed land, water, etc. in the least possible time, and to encourage captive power generation for providing low cost power.
- To establish new industrial areas, expand the existing industrial areas and to improve available services therein.
- To set up special industrial parks to provide common infrastructure and services by adopting cluster approach for the development of industries which have not been developed in spite of availability of abundant resources.
- To identify and promote such non-traditional industries for which good potential exists in the State due to availability of necessary resources.
- To provide special directed incentives to encourage establishment of industries by the weaker classes and in the economically backward areas of the State.
- To provide special incentives to small scale and cottage industries to create employment opportunities in the industrial sector in the least possible time throughout the State.
- To provide incentives to industrial units for technology upgradation and modernisation to enable them to face the challenges of global competition.
- To make arrangements for skill improvement, training and guidance of younger sections to enable them to seek maximum possible employment.
- To provide special package necessary for rehabilitation of sick and closed industrial units.
- To establish an effective system of "single point contact" and "time bound clearance" for providing requisite facilities, services and statutory clearances for investment.
Besides, the State Govt has also ensured people’s growth through major schemes. A few of those schemes are:
- Chief Minister’s Food Assistance Programme
- New Public Distribution System
- Annapurna Foodgrain Scheme
- Chhattisgarh Amrit Salt Distribution Plan
- Indira Awaas Yojna
- Nirmala Ghaat Yojna
- Swarna Jayanti Rural Self-employment Scheme
- Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Youh Development Scheme
- Chief Minister’s Empowerment Scheme
- Mid-wife Encouragement Scheme
- Chhattisgarh Rural Poverty Eradication Scheme
Chhattisgarh will also invest Rs 170 crore to set up a gems and jewellery park at its upcoming satellite city Naya Raipur. This will be one of India’s major gems and jewellery parks at Naya Raipur. The park, which will have all latest diamond cutting and polishing technologies, will be set up on 28.32 hectares at an investment of Rs 170 crore. The park, which is likely to be ready in two years, will generate direct jobs for around 5,000 people and indirect employment for about 20,000 people. The park will be maintained by Chhattisgarh State Industrial Development Corp.
The Government has also developed Naya Raipur, located on the Mumbai-Kolkata national highway six, 20 km from Raipur, which is believed to replace Raipur as the state’s capital by 2011. The new city that will cover an area of about 8,000 hectares will be equipped with state-of-the art physical, social and economic infrastructure.
On the basis of the above facts, one can easily sketch the path-breaking success of the state Government and proves its dedication towards the population of the state.
