CII's annual meeting to stress inclusive growth

The Confederation of Indian Industry( CII) plans to make inclusive growth a prominent part of its vision for industrial development.

For its two-day annual general meeting (AGM) and national convention to be held here on Wednesday and Thursday, the apex industry body has chosen inclusive growth as the theme.

"The association worked hard on affirmative action last year. That is why this theme was chosen," said a CII functionary, adding, "All growth needs a developmental agenda."

In fact, CII is planning to carry the theme through the next year when Sunil Bharti Mittal will be its president. It's theme throughout the year will be "Building People, Building India."

Mittal will be chosen as the president-elect at the AGM on Wednesday and president on Friday. He takes over from Ashok Leyland managing director R Seshasayee.

Sources close to the development said that a leading banker is likely to be elected the vice-president.

The national convention on Thursday will be attended by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Finance Minister P. Chidambaram and Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia, among other Union ministers.

Ratan Tata and Scott Bayman, the outgoing GE head honcho in India, will also attend the convention. Last year, UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi had addressed the annual event.

Though the theme for the event is inclusive growth, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati, the leader of Dalits and now also of the poor amongst the higher castes, is not a part of it.

Sources said this was because the programme got finalised just a few days back after the Prime Minister's Office confirmed the date of his participation. The event does not have a separate session on states this year.

However, sources said that top office-bearers of CII (Northern Region) have sought time from Mayawati to give her its agenda for growth in Uttar Pradesh.