Indian states taking initiatives for economic development : CM

Bhopal: The Chief Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said that the Indian states are taking self-motivated initiatives for economic development, newer dimensions of governance and public welfare. He said that economic policy cannot be fruitful without cooperation of the states. He said that the devolution of powers makes it mandatory to have a strong sense of responsibility, fiscal discipline, efficient debt management, effective public administration and trade-friendly climate. He said that effective public service delivery and innovations in public service delivery systems will become parameters of administrative efficiency in future.
Shri Chouhan made these observations while delivering a key note address at the India Summit held at Ross Business School, Michigan University, USA on October 5, 2012. Professor in Supply Chain Management Ross Business School, Mr. Ravi Anupindi, representatives of industry from Michigan and students of Ross Business School attended the event.
Speaking on the contemporary governance scenario in India, Shri Chouhan said that dependence on the Union Government for welfare schemes and public works is decreasing. The States have to think independently about their development and design development schemes according to local circumstances and situations. The innovations and finances are required for this. He observed that economic Rising the India is good for Madhya Pradesh but it is equally true that economic rising of Madhya Pradesh is also good for India.
Referring to the performance of India in 11th plan period, the Chief Minister said that the GDP of India grew at the rate of 7.9 percent while Madhya Pradesh registered 10.2 percent growth rate. Last year in 2011-12, India’s economy grew at 6.5 percent rate while Madhya Pradesh had double digit figure of 11.98 percent. Shri Chouhan said that the fiscal deficit in Madhya Pradesh was 7.12 percent in 2003-04 which came down to 1.94 percent in 2010-11. He said that Madhya Pradesh believes in Growth with Wisdom. It was paying 22 percent of its total revenue earning for paying interests in 2003-04. It has come down to 9 percent.
Discussing the newer dimensions of development in Indian states, Shri Chouhan said that states are taking their own initiatives. Discussions are underway to strengthen education and health services delivery sectors by applying recentralized planning process. The State Government is making efforts for more autonomy and flexibility in rules for service delivery for which there is a proposal to set up national treasury management agency, which will benefit all states.
The Chief Minister described Madhya Pradesh as an emerging state of Indian Republic saying that growth in agriculture sector is a must for advancement of the state. Other issues like poverty eradication, improvement of road network, ending gender discrimination remain to be addressed aggressively.
Talking about the innovative administrative steps, Shri Chouhan said that efficient delivery of public services will be determinant to judge administrative efficiency. He said that Madhya Pradesh is striving to be an industrially advance state but it has scored recognition in agriculture sector. Listing the well-considered decisions, policies and initiatives that have contributed to phenomenal growth in agriculture sector, he said that progress in agriculture sector positively improves human development indices and nutrition level.
About infrastructure building, the Chief Minister said that public-private partnership in infrastructure building projects proved vital. The faith of private sector in the governance has deepened as the private sector is treated as partner in development. It also gets financial support from the government.
Underlining efforts for educational empowerment of girl child specially the Ladli Laxmi Yojana (a scheme for educational empowerment for girl child), Shri Chouhan said that in near future Madhya Pradesh will be having educated, healthy, confident women rather more confident enough to participate in the process of rebuilding the state.