PM urges states to drive reforms, attract global investments | India News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: States should gear up and lead in bringing reforms for ease of business, cutting red tapes, and reducing compliance burdens, to grab the opportunities of overseas investment coming to India due to changing global scenario, PM Narendra Modi told chief secretaries from states who were in Delhi for a three-day conference.
The PM also told the top bureaucrats from states to prepare proper plans for development of tier -2 and tier-3 cities and towns, which are set to emerge as the major hub of economic activities, sources said. “Each such city has its own unique selling proposition (USP) and this must be harnessed while making development plans to attract investments. The PM’s focus was on creating more employment opportunities by getting higher investments and the states need to take lead,” said an official.
Global investors are looking at India as a better destination for investment considering good returns compared to other nations, safe environment and huge domestic consumption propelled by the large middle class population. Industries are also looking at setting manufacturing units in India and to export to other countries.
“The PM suggested to the chief secretaries that states hold thematic brainstorming sessions to prepare the plan for taking correct steps for growth and development. We have an opportunity to harness the demographic dividend that each state has. For this we need to have a shared vision amongst departments in states and at the national level,” said another official.
The PM, on Sunday, spent the full day with chief secretaries and top central govt officials, going through thematic presentations as well. He had spent a few hours at the conference on Saturday as well.
This was the fourth such national conference of chief secretaries. The focus of this year’s conference was to prepare a collaborative action to harness India’s demographic dividend by promoting entrepreneurship, enhancing skilling initiatives, and creating sustainable employment opportunities for both rural and urban populations. The conference focussed on manufacturing, services, rural non-farm, urban, renewable energy, and circular economy.