Gujarat will become country's growth engine, says Modi

Stating that a little change in the existing policies, coupled with effective governance and people's participation could work wonders for a state, chief minister Narendra Modi exuded confidence that the foundations for an economically strong future has been laid.

Addressing a media conference on the eve of his government completing a year in office, the chief minister listed several steps that that his government has initiated over the past one year.

"The first year of office for any government decides the course of action for the remaining term. I believe the state is now going in the right direction and I am sure that Gujarat will emerge as one of the major contributors towards the country's growth," Modi told reporters on Sunday.

He said all policies framed and modified by his government have been done with the aim of providing "holistic, integrated, humanitarian and comprehensive governance." Modi said his government has approached development and growth with the 'Panchamrit Model'.

The chief minister said the government has harnessed 'Gyan Shakti', 'Jal Shakti', 'Urja Shakti', 'Jan Shakti' and 'Raksha Shakti' concepts to provide an all-round development in the state with people's participation.

He listed the progress in the project to provide Narmada water through pipelines in all the areas of the state, including Kutch.

The main Narmada canal has already fed water to ten rivers flowing within Gujarat and the project to provide piped drinking water to all other parts of the state is progressing as per schedule, he said.

"In the past 40 years, 4,000 check dams had been constructed. In the past one year alone, over 25,000 check dams have been constructed with people's participation. This is despite the government deciding to increase the share of funds that people have to pay," he said.

Modi reiterated that Gujarat will soon become the petroleum capital of India and the gas grid network as part of the LNG infrastructure is soon taking shape. He said with the 'Jyoti Gram' project being implemented and steps being taken in power reforms, electricity will be available in abundance in all corners and villages of Gujarat.

"The government has been successful in implementing nearly 65 per cent of the resolutions mentioned in the manifesto of last year's assembly elections," the chief minister said.

Speaking about the Global Investors' Summit that was held in September last, the chief minister said the government invited investors to the state, see it and feel it before deciding on investing here.