'Most MoUs will turn into investments'

Jaipur: As the state kicked off Resurgent Rajasthan summit here in Jaipur, Industries minister Gajendra Singh Khimsar told TOI in an interview that the MoUs signed for investments will have much better conversion rate compared to the 33% achieved in the last edition of the event in 2007. He said such investors' summits are important to attract private investment and create economic opportunities.He said the government has limited resources to fulfill the rising aspirations of the youths who compromise more than half of the population in the country. Excerpts...
Now-a-days, every other state in the country is holding investors' summits. How would you differentiate Rajasthan from others?
There is a cut-throat competition among states to attract investment in their states. India is the youngest nation of the world and the young population needs jobs and economic opportunities while the states have limited resources to fulfill their growing aspirations. This is where the role of private sector is very important. But the main clincher for states will be the enactment and implementation of a single-window policy and enhancing ease of doing business. This is going to decide who the winners will be.
What is the conversion rate you are looking at for the MoUs the government has signed in the run-up to the event?
In the 2007 edition of Resurgent Rajasthan, MoUs worth Rs 1.62 lakh crore were signed. The actual investments translated to 33%. This time we have been very careful in accepting the investment proposals for signing MoUs as we wanted only serious players. We expect a far better performance in conversion rate. After the event, we are going to create a mechanism headed by the chief minister where all the related departments will be synchronized to ensure the MoUs get implemented without any delay.
Land availability to industry has been a major factor in stalling many projects in the country. How are you going to address the challenge?
We have created a land bank out of the available government land. We are not acquiring farmers' land as it throws up several issues. But wherever there was need for acquiring land from people, we have done in a very peaceful way. For example, in the Bhiwadi and Khuskhera area where the government doesn't have enough land compared to the requirement for the DMIC project, we have gone for acquiring land from the people. So, land will not be a problem for industries.
Which are the sectors that are going to attract maximum investments?
Solar is certainly going to be at the top followed by petroleum and mines, urban development and housing, and industries. But there are meaningful investment proposals from IT&ITeS, medical and health, and education sectors.