States list development initiatives, eye funds

Chief ministers of Andhra Pradesh, Goa and Delhi and the West Bengal finance minister, who addressed a meeting on "Emerging possibilities in the states", held as part of the "Advantage India" session on the second day of the ADB's annual meeting here today, sought to impress upon the international delegates how their governments were working for the well-being of their people through various policy initiatives.

Andhra Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy, citing initial apprehensions about the sustainability of economic reforms and globalisation in the backdrop of adverse impact on rural livelihoods, said his government was formulating a string of policies to manage economic reforms while keeping in mind the socio-political realities.

He said the irrigation programmes were targeted at providing water to 8.5 million lakh acres. The "Indiramma" programme was aimed at fulfilling the basic necessities like housing, drinking water and healthcare in rural areas in the next three years, he added.

Giving details of the policy framework put in place for the development of industries, IT and services sectors in the state, he said his government adopted public-private partnerships to a create huge infrastructure base in the state.

He urged the ADB board to consider establishing a regional training and entrepreneurial development centre in the state.

Stating how the human development indices showed his state faring better than other states, Goa Chief Minister Pratap Singh Rane told the delegates that his government was now providing computers to students at home.

He said his government's priority was to produce more knowledge workers. The state government was planning to make Goa a hub of education and medical tourism and an IT-BPO destination, he said, adding that efforts were on to attract high-spending tourists to his state.

West Bengal Finance Minister Asim Das Gupta said his government wholeheartedly welcomed investments in his state. Speaking on the advantages of investing in West Bengal, he described his state as the gateway to the north-eastern states. He also pointed out the cost benefit available to companies in the form of comparatively cheap skilled labour.

Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit said drinking water and transportation were her government's immediate priorities.