Maharashtra Congress ropes in Accenture to prepare Vision 2020

To counter Bharatiya Janata Party prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi’s ‘Gujarat model of development’, the Congress-led government in Maharashtra has roped in Accenture, a management consulting, technology services and outsourcing company, to prepare a ‘Vision-2020’ document for the state. The state Assembly elections are likely in September-October.

The objective is to highlight Maharashtra’s pre-eminence in attracting investments, and  expertise in handling the economy and social sectors. Besides, the government will take the credit for being the first state to initiate the process for appointment of a regulatory authority for the housing sector, with a view to breaking the nexus between politicians, officials and realty players.
 
Formulation of the vision document is the brainchild of Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan, who recently held a meeting with the Accenture team before giving a formal nod. Chavan, during the Lok Sabha election campaigning, had mocked the Gujarat model and invited Modi to a public debate.

CONGRESS’ VISION 2020

Proposed vision document  intends to counter the Gujarat model and take on opposition Shiv Sena-BJP alliance Attempt is to effectively market Maharashtra's growth story The objective is to become offensive and not defensive to project Maharashtra's pre-eminence Accenture's appointment is to give a professional touch

The state planning department has issued instructions to all departments to cooperate with Accenture and provide necessary inputs by May 10 to formulate the proposed document.

A senior official, who was present at the meeting and currently associated with the exercise, told Business Standard: “'Each department has been asked to provide details with regard to schemes and projects under implementation and those in the pipeline. Maharashtra has attracted 37 per cent of the total foreign direct investments since 1991 and continues to be the favoured destination. Maharashtra attracted cumulative investment proposals of Rs 14,73,466 crore as on December 2013, while Gujarat drew proposals worth Rs 13,98,347 crore.'' Maharashtra is way ahead of Gujarat and other states in per capita income, industrial output and employment generation.

The official said the vision document would also capture the state government's expertise in effectively tackling natural calamities.

More importantly, the government proposes to market flagship projects in Mumbai, including monorail, metro rail, eastern freeway and T2 terminal. This apart, the implementation of Rajiv Gandhi Health Mission, state ambulance service and regularisation of slums up to 2000 will also be played up.