Uttarakhand is a transparent state in ease of doing business: Harish Rawat

Aamir H Kaki

Uttarakhand is one of the most transparent states in ease of doing business and provides a very conducive industrial environment, said Harish Rawat, Chief Minister of Uttarakhand.

“We are maintaining a very conducive industrial atmosphere in the state and the growth rate of industry is more than 16 percent and we’re determined to push it further, he said at the 2nd Global Investors India Forum organised by ASSOCHAM in New Delhi on Thursday.

Speaking at the Forum, Rawat showcased the state of Uttarakhand and the opportunities it holds for investors. Outlining the opportunities he said there is a lot of potential in the field of infrastructure development and hospitality and urged domestic as well as foreign investors to come and invest in these sectors.

“Uttarakhand is a policy driven state. We are providing the cheapest power in the country,” he added. Detailing about the hydro power plants, the CM said, “power generation is one of the major thrust areas. We are focusing on the development of small hydro power plants and some of the important projects are Tankul, Bhilangana-II, Painagad etc.”
 
He also added that along with cheaper power the State has abundant land and the investment climate too is good. The government is working to develop infrastructure, making room for expansion. 

Making a mention of the MSME sector which is linked to a unique Start-up Policy that the state has adopted Harish Rawat said , “Uttarakhand has a very attractive policy for MSME’s (Micro Small & Medium Enterprises) linked to the Start-up policy. The Government has implemented a Start-up policy which is aimed to provide a platform to the students emerging from the educational institutes in the state helping them to grow as entrepreneurs.”
 
The State is attracting a lot of small investors in the micro and small power projects and we are forging ahead to formulate our IT policy too, he said.
 
Referring to improving the connectivity of the State with the rest of the country he said, “we are also coming out with new airports and I am hopeful that soon the State will be connected to other major towns of the country. With the new policy of the GOI with regard to regional connectivity, we are developing and modernizing three small airports.” 

In the hospitality sector, he said, there are lot of prospects in Uttarakhand and I request you all to look into that area, which has lot of potential for investment. 

Rawat said, “Namami Gange, one of the ambitious water projects of the Central government, commences from our state and there are lot of opportunities for investment in it too.”