 "Manohar Lal Khattar")
The Haryana government had set a target to attract around Rs 1 lakh crore during the upcoming Global Investors Summit, to be held on March 7 and 8 in Gurgaon. But, the state has already crossed the number as two big Chinese firms have committed $20 billion in the state. Manohar Lal Khattar, chief minister of Haryana, spoke to T E Narasimhan on the sidelines of the state's roadshow in Chennai on his government's initiatives to improve ease of doing business and other measures. Edited excerpts:
How bullish are you on achieving the investment commitment target, considering the subdued global economy situation?
We had set a target of Rs 1 lakh crore commitment and 400,000 jobs initially, but with the overwhelming interest both domestically and from outside India, we will surpass it. China's Wanda Group alone has committed around $10 billion (Rs 65,000 crore). Besides, China Fortune Land Development, in which Chinese billionaire Wang Wenxue is a major shareholder, has shown interest to invest a similar amount in the state.
Can you name a few?
The Suzuki chairman has assured us the company will be investing in expansion of its four-wheeler plant. He is keen on investing in Haryana and has also asked other Japanese companies to invest in the state.
Chinese logistics firm TBEA; Shanghai-based textile manufacturer Mitsubishi and a lot of MSMEs (micro, small and medium enterprises) from Japan have also shown interest.
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, 45 km from Delhi border, has been identified. They will complete the project in two years and develop industrial zones and a theme park.
Traditionally, Haryana's focus has been on automobile, information technology, textiles, footwear and agro-based industries. Which are the new sectors you want to showcase?
Today, Haryana produces 50 per cent of the passenger vehicles and 60 per cent of the motorcycles sold in the country. We are the third-largest software exporter, fourth-largest cotton producer, and second-largest leather producer.
While the state is the second-largest contributor of foodgrains to India's central pool, we want to see more agro-based industries, especially in rural areas, to create employment. More emphasis will be given to aerospace and defence. We are also keen on having more solar projects; we'll soon come up with a solar policy. The other focus areas will be education, skills development, MSME etc.
Ease of doing business is one of the key areas to attract investment. What measures is your government taking on this?
Last year, the state was ranked 14 in ease of doing business. Our target is to make it to the top five. We have taken up several measures, including clearing proposals in a month, so that the investors don't have to run from pillar to post. Already, 10,000 acres of land bank has been created.
With Budget around the corner, what do you expect from the finance minister?
Broadly, issues are common among the states. In a recent meeting, almost all states raised concerns about the reduction in central funds for education and health sectors.
We also want the national capital region (NCR) planning board to be strengthened. Fifty-seven per cent of our state is in NCR. We have suggested that NCR Planning Board be made more capable for raising finances to develop infrastructure in the region, which can be equivalent to that in the national capital. Our demand is that state development authorities should be given tax exemption.
