From rxpgnews.com
Narmada power plant to be dedicated to nation this month
By IANS,
Jan 8, 2007 - 7:45:55 PM
New Delhi, Jan 8 - A 1,450 MW hydropower station of Gujarat's ambitious Sardar Sarovar project on the river Narmada would be dedicated to the nation this month, Chief Minister Narendra Modi said Monday.
The project, also facing criticism for the large-scale displacements of people in the Narmada valley, achieved a milestone early this month when the dam height was raised to 121.92 metres - critical for generating power.
Addressing a special session of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, the annual conclave of the Indian diaspora, Modi also outlined his vision of all-inclusive development of the state's economy and said: 'Our progress is policy driven, our policy is reform driven and reforms are people driven.'
He said that Gujarat was expected to be India's growth engine. 'This is amply reflected in the targets set out by the Planning Commission which expects Gujarat to achieve an average annual growth rate of 10.2 percent - the highest among all major states - so that the country can achieve a growth rate of 8.2 percent,' he said.
'Gujarat is in the process of surpassing the given target.'
Speaking at another session, Modi briefed delegates of the diaspora on the economic and social progress of the state.
He said Gujarat was among the first states to enact a Special Economic Zones - Act in 2004. Proposals of 33 SEZs have been approved of which two are fully functional, he said.
Modi had a busy day as he addressed in the space of a few hours yet another august gathering, this time at the 79th annual general meeting of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry - at the Taj Palace Hotel.
Modi said here that instead of competing with other states in terms of incentives for industry, Gujarat had focused on offering infrastructure and conducive environment.
'I have just received data on man-days lost to due to labour problems. In 2006, the figure for Gujarat is zero percent - not a single day lost. That is possible only when there is equitable progress,' he said.
Modi said plans were underway to make Gujarat a major player in the ship-making industry and compete with South Korea.
'We have made a name for ourselves in the ship-breaking industry, now we plan to compete with South Korea in ship-making industry as well as ship repairs,' he said.
As the state is set for its annual global investors' summit Vibrant Gujarat, to be held in Ahmedabad Jan 12-13, Modi invited industrialists as well as overseas Indians to participate and 'feel - Gujarat'.
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