The chief minister wants Tamil Nadu to be among India’s most prosperous and progressive states, with no poverty
The Tamil Nadu government has set itself the target of becoming one of the top three investment destinations in Asia by 2023. Vision 2023, conceptualised by state Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, asserts the state will be among India’s most economically prosperous and progressive states, with no poverty.
To achieve this vision, it is estimated a total investment of Rs 15 lakh crore will be required, of which the majority is expected to flow in from non-governmental sources, such as private sector organisations, banks and foreign direct investors.
“I am confident that Tamil Nadu will be able to increase its per capita income at today’s prices by six times to reach Rs 450,000 or $10,000 in 2023, in line with the per capita income of upper middle income countries,” the chief minister said, after releasing the Vision 2023 document recently.
Over the next 11 years, the state will aim to increase its Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) at a growth rate of 11 per cent or more per annum, about a fifth faster than the expected growth rate of India’s GDP over the same period, she added.
The vision is based on 10 themes. These include economic prosperity, inclusive growth, health for all, infrastructure, creating a healthy investment climate, making the state a knowledge hub and innovation capital, creating a conducive environment for human development, nurturing a rich heritage and preserving the ecology, protecting against vulnerability, and improving the quality of institutions and governance.
“Strategy for development is about building on the strengths of the state and exploiting opportunities, while simultaneously protecting the vulnerabilities that could arise due to intrinsic weaknesses and threats in the environment,” the document said.
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The primary sector contributes around 12.6 per cent to the current (2010-11) composition of Tamil Nadu’s GSDP, the secondary sector 25.8 per cent and the tertiary sector 61.6 per cent. Agriculture and allied activities comprise the bulk of the primary sector. The secondary sector includes manufacturing (17 per cent) and non-manufacturing (9 per cent).
Manufacturing, which reported 20 per cent growth in 2004-05 and 16.6 per cent in 2010-11, is expected to grow by 22 per cent, while the non-manufacturing sector will witness eight per cent growth, compared to 11 per cent in 2004-05 and 9.2 per cent in 2010-11.
The services sector is expected to report 63 per cent growth in 2022-23, compared to 61.6 per cent in 2010-11 and 57 per cent in 2004-05.
To achieve the vision, it is estimated that the total investment required will be Rs 15 lakh crore, the major chunks of which will go to the power sector (Rs 4.50 lakh crore); transport (Rs 3.70 lakh crore); industrial and commercial (Rs 1.60 lakh crore); urban infrastructure (Rs 2.75 lakh crore); agriculture (Rs 40,000 crore); and human development, including health and education (Rs 30,000 crore). The rest includes general and social infrastructure projects, and capital improvements to existing projects, which will require Rs 1.75 lakh crore.
“The focus of this document is on the physical, social and institutional infrastructure that needs to be established in Tamil Nadu, if the growth rates in various sectors envisaged under Vision 2023 are to be realised,” according to the document.