The Hindu Business Line : Jharkhand chalks out mega city development plan

Mega proposals
The plan includes creation of a hi-tech city
Expenditure of Rs 8,000 crore earmarked under PPP model.
Tax benefits announced to attract private investment

Kolkata , June 25

The Jharkhand Government is now in the process of chalking out a major city infrastructure development plan (referred to as a Master Plan), covering both civic areas such as water treatment, solid waste management and other public utility works and real estate development, including construction of cinema multiplexes, which would enjoy `entertainment tax' relief.

The plan also includes creation of a hi-tech city, besides a new city near Jamshedpur.

An initial expenditure of nearly Rs 8,000 crore was being earmarked for these projects, to be developed on the basis of a public-private partnership (PPP) model. The Jharkhand Government has already signed as many as 43 MoUs involving a massive sum of Rs 1,90,000 crore for various projects in the State.

Speaking at an interactive session on "Investment opportunities in Jharkhand", organised by the Merchants Chamber of Commerce (MCC) here, the Jharkhand Minister of Finance and Urban Development, Mr Raghubar Das, said some flyovers, including a bypass ring have been planned.

Pointing out that the plan was to develop both large and medium towns in the State, like Ranchi, Jamshedpur, Dhanbad, Palamau, Hazaribagh, Bokaro etc., the Minister said work on the projects will start by December. Suitable legislation for speeding up such town planning and modernisation work was also being taken up.

He said in order to attract private investment for the multiplexes, sales tax benefits including tax holidays for five years have been announced by the State Government. Private investments are also being sought in the areas of healthcare and education in Jharkhand. He said healthcare was crucial for the State's very poor, accounting for 54 per cent of the total population.

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