The Hindu Business Line : States call for private investments through PPPs

Four states, including West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh, have called for private investments through public-private partnerships to tap huge opportunities in infrastructure and other developmental activities in their respective States.

Speaking at the `Advantage India' session at the 39th Annual Meeting of ADB's board of governors here on Thursday, the Chief Ministers of Goa, Delhi and Andhra Pradesh, and the Finance Minister of West Bengal, showcased investment opportunities in their States. Dr Asim K. Dasgupta, Finance Minister of West Bengal, said that the State had chalked out a Rs 52,800-crore infrastructure development plan. The plan included a greenfield international airport, deep-sea port and an elevated light rapid transit system in Kolkata.

Dr Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, said the State already had a huge infrastructure in place and the Government was planning to modernise it. "We would like to go for public-private partnerships," he said. He later appealed to the ADB to establish a regional training and entrepreneurial development centre in Hyderabad for effectively harnessing the human resource potential in the State.

Mr Pratapsinh Rane, the Chief Minister of Goa, said the State was set to launch the "next phase of development" campaign, focussing on knowledge-based sectors, health and tourism. "We will take measures to attract high-spending tourists," he said.

Ms Sheila Dikshit, the Delhi Chief Minister, who joined the session towards the end, said the city-State would like to focus on improving water situation.

"Water distribution is our next focus (after power reforms). We are not going to privatise it. But we would like to manage it better to offer efficient and equitable delivery," she said. "As Delhi is land-locked (with other States surrounding it), we don't have the luxury of expanding it. We have to necessarily go upwards. This is a great opportunity and challenge," she said.

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