The Hindu : National : Lopsided development can pose problems: Pranab

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Tuesday, Jan 09, 2007
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Lopsided development can pose problems: Pranab

Aarti Dhar

Lagging States should carry out economic reforms to attract investment

— Photo: Shanker Chakravarty

WOOING INVESTORS: External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee flanked by Tourism Minister Ambika Soni, Gujarat Chief Minister Narender Modi, Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, CII president R. Seshasayee at the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2007 in New Delhi on Monday.

NEW DELHI : Expressing an apprehension that that lopsided development could pose serious problems, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee on Monday said laggard States should carry out economic reforms to attract investment for growth and poverty alleviation.

While the Government had been consistent in reforming and liberalising, States showed wide variance in adapting to the changes. "Some States have been quicker and more responsive than the others, as a result of which these have grown faster, and continue to do so. If this trend persists, the lopsided development within India could pose grave problems," he said speaking at the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas celebrations here.

Appealing to all States to create a conducive atmosphere to attract overseas Indians, Mr. Mukherjee said they should take specific initiatives and devise strategies to benefit from the creativity, talent, enterprise and commitment of the diaspora.

The 11th Five-Year Plan was being designed to reduce poverty and focus on bridging the divide, which continued to fragment society. It would seek to reduce disparities across regions and communities, ensuring access to basic physical infrastructure as well as health and education services to all.

In the coming years, the country would have to invest considerably in social and human capital, besides in innovation and physical infrastructure. Its growth prospects would be predicated on what the States did over the next decade. Good governance and fiscal prudence should take centre stage.

Spelling out the potential areas for public-private partnership, Mr. Mukherjee said the focus should be on the social sector, including preparing participative models for sustainable rural development; upgrading infrastructure to improve highways, airports and transport; investment in irrigation, food processing and marketing of agricultural produce to reduce dependence on monsoon; ensuring and enhancing quality as well as broader coverage of education for all, investment in research and development and providing more opportunities for technology

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