CM unveils steps to beef up physical and social infrastructure

Jaipur, Nov 30 (UNI) The resurgence of Rajasthan as frontline state for business came live today with the Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje unveiling a slew of investment opportunities offered by the state and presenting a business-friendly face.

Inaugurating the 'Resurgent Rajasthan Partnership Summit 2007', organised by the Rajasthan Government and FICCI here, Ms Raje said, ''Our deliberations on a new dawn for Rajasthan will herald the advent of a more vibrant and pulsating economy that will ensure inclusive growth in the state'' and invited the private sector to join hands with the government to put Rajasthan at the vanguard of developed states in the country.

High priority has been accorded to improvement of road infrastructure and the vast hinterland of India's largest state was now open to easy access to and from domestic and international markets, she added.

''We are on course to becoming a self-sufficient in power by December 2008 and through a Rs 8,000 crore feeder renovation programme, T&D systems are being revamped to ensure quality power supply,'' CM said adding over 500 MW of non-conventional power is already being generated by private units in the state.

She said, the state government has amended laws to allow contract farming, direct purchase and private mandis while initiatives such as collaborative farming and Rajasthan Innovation Foundation was being set up to encourage innovations in agriculture.

''We are in the process of having at least one engineering college and one polytechnic in every district, and at least one ITI in every block. Under the scheme for adoption of ITIs, we are looking for partners for developing ITIs to make their curriculum more relevant to the needs of industry,'' the Chief Minister said.

UNI