Jobs, investment should top agenda of new govt: Vedanta chief

Employment generation and revival of manufacturing and investment besides poverty eradication should top the agenda of the new government, Vedanta Resources Chairman Anil Agarwal said today.
"As industry awaits new government, reviving manufacturing & investments, generating employment and eradication of poverty to be top agenda," he tweeted.
Exit polls have projected the BJP-led NDA to form the government at the Centre giving 249 to 290 seats to the Narendra Modi-led grouping.
Stating that uncertainty prevails in some sectors towards large national projects, the mining and metal conglomerate's chief in a statement proposed auction of natural resources on revenue sharing or royalty basis.

"Auction natural resources in the most sustainable and transparent manner, on revenue sharing basis or highest royalty. Encourage Indian entrepreneurs, who will bring world-class technology, build modern plants and big investments in our country, ensuring highest standards of environment, health and safety," he said.
Though India has abundance of reserves and resources of bauxite, coal, iron ore, copper and gold, it is spending billions of dollars on their imports, he said.

It may be noted that Vedanta group firm Sterlite is awaiting green nods to its mining project in Niyamgiri Hills area in Lanjigarh.
Vedanta group, which owns HZL and Balco, had also been in talks with the Centre to acquire the government's remaining stakes.

Agarwal said thousands of large, medium and small scale industries can be set up to process raw material and further manufacturing which can create 10-15 crores jobs, create infrastructure and lead to eradication of poverty.
Earlier, he had pitched for 51 per cent stake sale in state-owned companies saying this can change the face of modern India by creating more jobs and bringing in prosperity.