Local investment key to growth: Minister

PATNA: State water resources minister Sanjay Jha on Thursday rued lack of investment by local businessmen and traders in Bihar despite favourable conditions for the same created by the government over the last 15 years.

Speaking at a webinar to mark the 133rd birth anniversary of ‘Bihar Vibhuti’ Anugrah Narayan Sinha and 63rd foundation day of Patna-based A N College, Jha said, “Some of the basic prerequisites for setting up industries at any place include law and order, roads, power and policy support. Nitish Kumar government has fulfilled all such prerequisites in the last 15 years, but, ironically, even local business community and traders have not shown the expected interest in industrial development in the state.”

Citing a case study in support of his claim, Jha said, “There is a huge market for consumption of cycles in Bihar owing to several government welfare schemes, including cycles for schoolchildren. But no local entrepreneur tried to tap the opportunity and the cycles kept coming from places like Haryana.”

Addressing students, faculty members and other dignitaries, Jha said the CM assured PM Narendra Modi on Wednesday that Bihar government will provide 1,000 acres of land if Centre initiates steps for promoting industrial development in the state.

“Bihar has become the first state to have details of its human resources following skill mapping of migrant workers, who have returned from other states. More than 16 lakh skilled and semi-skilled workers have been identified during skill mapping exercise conducted at the quarantine centres. Such massive manpower can be advantageous for any industry,” Jha said.

He added Bihar has huge potential for industrial development in the agriculture and allied activities, textile and healthcare sectors. “CM Nitish talked at length about potential for industrial development in such sectors during the interaction with the PM on Wednesday,” he said.

Speaking on the occasion, deputy CM Sushil Kumar Modi appealed to the participants to use more local products and shun foreign products. “The Covid-19 crisis and the recent clash with Chinese forces at Galwan Valley in Ladakh have increased the significance of use of local products even more. Like Mahatma Gandhi’s emphasis on manufacturing of khadi led to collapse of economy of British government in the pre- independence era, the ‘vocal for local’ call of PM Narendra Modi will lead to massive blow to economy of our enemy countries and growth of Indian economy,” he said.