President’s new Development Model
Posted : August 25, 2004 at 1:04 am [IST]
President has a great innovative approach to every thing. Recently he came out with a new region-wise blue print for national development. He wants the holistic planning and development to be region based because climate, terrain, culture is region based. He has grouped Indian states into seven regions for their economic development outlining their core competence, challenges and thrust areas for the future actions. I have tried to tabulate the same.
| Region Core competence | Challenges | Needs to focus |
|---|---|---|
|
Northern Region Agriculture, tourism, light engineering manufacture and herbal products |
Access and connectivity in hilly terrain | Herbal and bio-products; Horticulture, fruit and forest industries, agri-processing, hydel power and eco-tourism. Multi-cropping and renewal of water bodies need special attention. |
|
Desert Region Tourism and cottage industries like brassware, silverware, diamond-cutting, milk and dairy products |
Dry land and frequent draught; maintenance of canals, desilting, water and electric power connectivity | Invest in dry farming, solar farming and breeding of cattle and enhance value addition of its produce |
|
Gangetic Region Rich in mineral deposits, agriculture, steel industry, tribal heritage, tourism, manufacturing |
Serious problem of flood and lags in primary education. Poor physical connectivity | Harness floodwater, make education free and compulsory and focus on eco-tourism andsmall industrial units. Thrust on rural development. |
|
North-east region Fantastic bio-diversity and mineral wealth; good hydel resources,but untapped due to hilly terrain, poor connectivity and floods |
Some pockets of societal instability | Hydel power, value-addition to bio-diversity and water storage |
|
Deccan Region Industry based with pharma, sugar, auto and tourism sectors flourishing |
Much of its natural resources remain untapped ; poor road and power connectivity in some pockets | Invest in underground hydel power, telemedicine, teleeducation, river net working and rural connectivity |
|
Southern region Strong knowledge products, bio-technology, auto-components industry and tourism |
Water scarcity,drought and social instability in pockets | Invest in wind power generation, grow Jatropha to tackle dry land and generate bio-diesel |
|
Coastal Region Marine exports, industry and agro-units, aquaculture and tourism |
Frequent cyclones, sea erosion and water scarcity | Desalination, wind power and tourism |
But the planning and will for development must percolate down to district and panchayat level. Only some facilitators are required. Let me give you two examples from the most backward state of Bihar.
Sasaram is a historical place with number of beautiful historical buildings and other relics- some even from Ashoka period. If someone takes initiative, the place can become a good tourist spot attracting both foreigners as well as domestic tourists in large number. It can change the economy of the district town totally. But who does it? Why can’t the local MP and MLA do something?
Second example is of the villages producing Madhubani Prints in north Bihar. Nothing has been done to promote the art commercially to its potential that can change the face of the region. Only some unscrupulous businessmen are exploiting the women artists. same is the case with the famous Lichhi producing areas.That could have been commercially exploited in much better way..But you can’t think of anything in Bihar with the present government.
Hundreds of such regional examples are available throughout India. It requires a decentralized planning to attain the maximum gain for improved economy of the region.
- Indra
Category: Government Policy/Administration |
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