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Chhattisgarh in talks with China for power project

Our Bureau

NEW DELHI, Sept. 6

THE Government of Chhattisgarh has negotiated a 500 MW power plant deal with China for construction of a power plant in the State. This was revealed by Chief Minister, Mr Ajit Jogi, at an interactive meeting organised by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) here on Thursday.

Mr Jogi said that foreign direct investment was welcome in the areas of agro-processing, mining, diamond, gold and iron ore. The State Government was committed to providing a hassle-free environment and single-window clearance for investors who wished to invest in Chhattisgarh, he said.

Further, the Government is in the process of improving urban infrastructure and had constituted the Chhattisgarh Infrastructure Development Corporation to catalyse investments in the State.

Mr Jogi said the State Government was also thinking of enacting a legislation to make it incumbent on the Government for providing single-window clearances for investors. Regulatory mechanisms would make it necessary to follow these procedures and a draf t has already been prepared which will help in providing good governance, he added.

There is a need to develop the small-scale sector, food processing industries, traditional arts such as tribal art and handicrafts which have export potential, Mr Jogi said. Fiscal incentives would be provided in terms of infrastructure, developmental su pport, subsidies and rationalised power tariffs.

Answering questions, Mr Jogi said that North-South corridors have been planned for the State. Land had been identified for construction of Transport Nagar in the cities of Raipur and Bhilai. Further, six vertical arteries and four horizontal arteries hav e been planned and after construction of these roads, the entire State would be accessible with the rest of the country.

A master-plan has been prepared for the execution of these projects. An additional funding of Rs 800 crore would be required and these projects would be completed within the span of next two years, he said.

Mr Jogi said that a time frame has been set for development of infrastructure and the Government was committed to good governance. However, it was difficult to mention a time frame as to when industries would be set up. In a short time, the State has sig ned MoUs worth Rs 15,000 crore with many private sectors and State Governments.

On the question of development of inland waterways, Mr Jogi said that a detailed study was being undertaken on the development of waterway in the river in Mahanadi. It was a long-term project which would give impetus for further development of the State, he said.

The Chief Minister said there was immense scope for improvement of airports. The airport in Raipur had been upgraded and Indian Airlines has been requested to provide air connectivity to the State with the southern and eastern parts of the country.

Pic.: The Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, Mr AJit Jogi (left), with the President, FICCI, Mr Chirayu Amin, addressing FICCI members to announce the new infrastructure development policy of Chhattisgarh in the Capital on Thursday.

Picture by Ramesh Sharma