Other States - Gujarat

Modi focus on development, governance

By Neena Vyas

NEW DELHI JAN. 10. Having won a resounding electoral victory in Gujarat, the Chief Minister, Narendra Modi, announced today his ``firm resolve'' to get down to the business of ``comprehensive development'' and ``effective governance'' even as he advised the press to ``introspect'' and ``restore its credibility''.

The growth target he has set for the State is 10.2 per cent during the Tenth Plan period, well above the eight per cent overall growth for the country envisaged by the Planning Commission, which, Mr. Modi said, has recognised Gujarat's potential to achieve a higher rate.

Addressing a press conference, he spelt out his `mantra' for Gujarat with a focus on five areas — education, irrigation, power, security and people's participation. He made it clear that the State was all for privatisation and a liberalised economy in every sector: private universities and self-financing educational institutes, privatisation even in the area of water and power.

He talked about a ``water grid'' and an ambitious plan for building 100,000 check dams and a huge reservoir of potable water to meet the irrigation needs of farmers. For industry, he would like to focus on power, changing over the coal-based power plants to gas and the creation of a ``gas grid''. On security Mr. Modi indicated the need for strengthening and modernising the agencies and creating an intelligence outfit.

Here to attend the Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas, he said his Government had created a ministry for non-resident Gujaratis, a portfolio handled by Ashok Bhatt. He would like to encourage the `NRGs' (non-resident Gujaratis) to invest in the State.

A single-window Gujarat Industrial Promotion Board had been set up as also a Global Education and Employment Board to help resident Gujaratis go abroad for higher studies and jobs.

Responding to questions, Mr. Modi made clear his antipathy towards the national press and advised it not to take up the issues they had unsuccessfully campaigned for. ``The press should keep quiet for some time and introspect and try to restore its own credibility.'' He offered his ``consultancy services'' for this.

This was in response to questions about what he intended to do about the feeling of insecurity among the minorities. To another question on the fate of the riot-related cases, he asserted that the law prevailed in Gujarat before the Godhra carnage and it continued to prevail after that. The law was not related to politics.

A `freedom of religion bill' would be brought after studying the anti-conversion legislation passed by other States and the Constitutional provisions. It would not be aimed against any section, but guarantee the freedom to practise any faith. When asked whether such freedom was not already there, he said provisions needed to be put into place.

A task force had also been set up to study the functioning of madrassas and to also study how some Muslim countries like Pakistan, Malaysia and Indonesia had modernised them. He said every child had the right to get basic education and that should be kept in mind.

On his campaigning for the BJP in other States, Mr. Modi said that his electioneering would adhere to the strategy of the party. This was in response to a question whether ``Mian Musharraf'' would continue to be the main target of attack.

Mr. Modi also had a word about the Chief Election Commissioner in the context of his remarks that the people of Himachal should not allow outsiders to come and communalise the atmosphere in the State — Gujaratis correctly understood what Lyngdoh had said, he hoped Himachalis would do the same.

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