 "Manohar Lal Khattar")
The Government of Haryana has set a target to attract around Rs 1 lakh crore during the upcoming Global Investors Summit, which will be held on March 7 and 8 at Gurgaon. But the state has already crossed the number as two big Chinese firms have committed for over $20 billion in the state.
Manohar Lal Khattar, chief minister of Haryana spoke to TE Narasimhan on the sidelines of State’s road show in Chennai on the initiatives that his government is taking to improve ease of doing business and other measures.
His target is to be one of the top five states in the ease of doing business list, as compared to 14 now.
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How bullish are you on achieving the target (of investment commitment) considering the current global economy situation and other factors?
We have set a target of Rs 1 lakh crore commitment and four lakh jobs initially, but with the over whelming interest from, both domestic and from outside, we will surpass it.
China’s Wanda Group alone has committed around $10 billion (around Rs 65,000 crore), then China Fortune Land Development, in which Chinese billionaire Wang Wenxue is a major shareholder, has shown interest to invest similar amount in the state. Then we he have many more names.
Can you name few?
Suzuki Chairman assured us the company will be investing in expansion its four-wheeler plant. He is very keen on investing, besides telling other Japanese companies to invest in Haryana.
Chinese logistics firm TBEA, Textile manufacturers from Shanghai, Mitsubishi, lot of MSMEs from Japan have also shown interest.
How much does Suzuki plan to invest?
Discussions are going on will know during the summit.
What is the status of Wanda Group’s project?
We are in the final stage of signing a final MoU with them. Around 3,000 acres of land at Kharkhoda district in Haryana, which is 45 kms from New Delhi border, has been identified.
They have said that they will complete the project in two years and will be developing industrial zones, theme park and others.
Traditionally, Haryana focused on automobile, IT, textiles, footwear, agro and others. Which are the new sectors you want to showcase or want more investments?
Today, Haryana produces 50% of the passenger vehicle and 60% of the motorcycles in the country. We are the third-largest software exporter, fourth-largest cotton producer, second-largest foot wear and leather producer.
While the state is the second-largest contributor of food grains to India’s central pool, we want to see more agro-based industries, especially in the rural areas to create employment. Then more emphasis will be given for aerospace and defence, which are also natural progression from automobile.
Then we want more solar projects, for which we will be coming up with new solar policy as well.
Besides other focuses will be education, skill development, SMEs etc.,
Ease of doing business is one of the key to attract investments. What are the measures your government is talking on this front?
Last year the state was ranked as 14th in ease of doing business. Our target is to make it on the top five when it comes to ease of doing business. We have taken up several measures, including clearing proposals in one month under one roof, so that the investors don’t have to run from one pillar to the other. Then already 10,000 acres of land bank has been created. We can create more if we need it.
Since the Budget is around the corner, what do you expect from the Finance Minister?
Broadly issues are common between the states. During the recent meeting, all states raised issues relates to reducing Centre’ share in education and health sector; states want Centre continue (with) its share and not reduce it.
We want NCR planning board (and it) needs to be strengthened.
Around 57% of our state is in the National Capital Region (NCR). We have suggested that make NCR Planning Board more capable for raising finances to develop infrastructure in the NCR, which can be equivalent to that in the national capital of Delhi.
State development authorities should be exempted from the payment of I-T. It will help to fulfill the promise of housing for all.
