Economic agenda deciding factor in Saurashtra

RAJKOT: The business community in Saurashtra are an undecided lot. Businessmen and industrialists here have their sights set on the economic agenda promised by the political parties.
The deciding factor, for them, is the economic agenda of political parties and whether the electionswould bring in stability in the vestibules of power However, there is a general sense of apathy with regard to elections in the business community.
“I will abstain from voting,� said Prakash Shah, an industrialist, who owns a unit in the Shapar-Veraval industrial area. Recession, according to him, has reached the grassroots level and signs of recovery seem bleak. “If instability continues even after this election, then nothing can stop the collapse of the state’s economy,� he said.
Another industrialist Prakash Mavecha said, “The state is tottering on the brink of a severe economic crisis.
We need a government that will not only stay put, but also deliver the goods.� On the issue of manifestos, industrialist Nageshbhai said, “None of the parties have touched upon the issues of the smallscale sector, which is the backbone of Saurashtra’s economy. With liberalisation, the small-scale industries have been facing a tough time and the parties should not ignore them.�
However, Pravin Garala, president of the Rajkot Engineering Association, differs. He said, “Some of the schemes introduced by the state government have paid rich dividends, especially the cluster scheme. The diesel engine, machine tools and foundry industries, the brass parts industry of Jamnagar, the ceramic industries in Wankaner and Morbi and the dyeing and printing industry of Jetpur have been included in the cluster development scheme, which will surely revive these industries.�
President of Rajkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry Dhirubhai Vithlani has in a letter addressed to Narendra Modi, state BJP president Rajendrasinh Rana and Shankersinh Vaghela said, “The functioning of the state government has been found wanting.
None of the pending issues in regard to the development of the industry has been addressed by the ruling party.�
“Come elections, parties flock the corporate houses for funds. But once elected, they forget us,� said one businessman.