KTR at World Economic Forum India summit : Calls for stronger states

Hyderabad: Telangana Industry and IT Minister KT Rama Rao speaking at World Economic Form's India Economic Summit-2019 have called for strengthening local economies as stronger states will lead to a stronger country. TRS government introduced TS-iPASS, a single-window clearance initiative for investors, for rapid industrialisation in the new state, added KTR.

The Telangana government, under TS-iPASS, approved over 11,000 proposals and 8,400 units began commercial operations. During the past six years, more than 12 lakh people got direct employment in the industry.

Talking about the Centre and state relations, KTR at World Economic Forum suggested the Centre transfer a few items from the concurrent list to the state list. “It’ll boost the performance of the states. Stronger states will make India a stronger country.”

Telangana hs started new policies making it easier 4ppl&biz 2function. Acc to new features like single window entry point, govt is deemed 2provide clearance in 15 days. If not then on 16th day it's deemed approved~@KTRTRS, Hon. Min., IT,Municipal Admin&Urban Dev&Ind, at #IES2019 pic.twitter.com/Y1vYlS0Dbm

— Confederation of Indian Industry (@FollowCII) 3 October 2019

KTR participated in a line of meetings and sessions at the World Economic Forum’s India Economic Summit-2019 in New Delhi on Thursday. The Telangana Minister took part in a panel discussion as part of the summit. The topic was ‘Union of States’. Chief Ministers from several states participated as panellists and shared their insights during the session.

Punjab’s Amarinder Singh, Meghalaya’s Conrad Sangma, MP’s Kamal Nath, and AP’s Industry Minister Mekapati Goutham Reddy were panellists at the session. They discussed the dynamics between the Centre, states and cities as the engines of growth.

“Telangana has been ranking top in Ease of Doing Business in the country. The Centre has to play the role of an enabler instead of intervening in the way of states which received capital from various lending agencies,” remarked KTR.

When asked about urbanisation, he observed that people migrate to cities for a better life, education and medical services. Urban pockets run India. Cities are the prime contributors to GDP or GSDP. “Mahatma Gandhi said that India lives in villages. However, cities and urbanisation are financially supporting India and states,” he added.

Speaking about decentralisation at the state level, KTR at World Economic Forum stated that Telangana region had ten districts in united AP. Now, Telangana has 33 districts, 3,400 village panchayats and new revenue divisions as well. The Telangana IT minister further added that each unit sees development through a planned budget. He also stated that failing to resolve this problem will affect urban infra and even the GDP.