Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami appealed to the industry in the CSR Dialogue to contribute to the development of the state. Urging the companies to spend CSR funds in the state itself, he said that donations made in Devbhoomi have special significance.
Dehradun (Uttarakhand) [भारत]July 11 (ANI): Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, while addressing the ‘Uttarakhand CSR Dialogue’ organized at the Chief Sevak Sadan of the Chief Minister Camp Office on Friday, appealed to the industry leaders to actively contribute to the development of the state.
Welcoming representatives of the corporate sector, Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs), CSR partners, industries and social organisations, the Chief Minister said that the special significance of charitable contributions made at pilgrimage sites has been mentioned in Hindu scriptures. He said that hence the CSR investment made in Devbhoomi Uttarakhand has even greater significance.
He said that one may not be born in Uttarakhand by choice, but everyone has the opportunity to contribute to the development of the state through meaningful work and urged companies to utilize this opportunity. He also appealed to corporate groups operating in Uttarakhand to give priority to spending their CSR funds within the state.
Dhami said that this program is not just a formal gathering, but a collective commitment to bring positive change in the lives of people living in remote parts of Uttarakhand. He informed that Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed with many reputed companies in key sectors like skill development, road safety, women empowerment, rural development and education. Several leading corporate groups also announced new CSR projects for the state.
Emphasis on sustainable development and employment
Highlighting the unique geographical and ecological challenges of Uttarakhand, the Chief Minister said that the Himalayan state needs more resources and efforts to achieve sustainable development. He stressed that development should not be limited to just building roads and infrastructure, but should also focus on employment generation, social welfare and environmental protection.
Emphasizing the need to protect forests and rivers while creating employment opportunities for local youth, he said the corporate sector’s expertise, institutional strength, modern management practices and commitment to social welfare can play an important role in achieving these goals.
Uttarakhand is being made a major industrial center
Dhami said that the state government is continuously working to transform Uttarakhand into a major industrial destination. Referring to the Global Investors Summit 2023, he said the state had received investment proposals worth more than Rs 3.56 lakh crore, of which projects worth more than Rs 1 lakh crore have already been put on the ground. He said the government has simplified licensing processes through a single-window system and introduced more than 30 industry-friendly policies, including industrial, logistics, startup and MSME policies, to create a secure and business-friendly ecosystem.
The Chief Minister further said that the government has set up incubation centers and created a venture fund of Rs 200 crore to promote startups in the state. Due to these initiatives, Uttarakhand has topped NITI Aayog’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) index. The state has also been recognized as an ‘Achiever’ in the ‘Ease of Doing Business’ ranking and a ‘Leader’ in the National Startup Ranking.
Government’s focus on transparent governance
Emphasizing the importance of transparent governance, Dhami said that no state can create a healthy industrial environment without ensuring transparency in administration. He said the Uttarakhand government has adopted a zero-tolerance policy against corruption and has taken strict action against more than 200 corrupt officials and employees in recent years. As a result, entrepreneurs now face fewer hurdles in obtaining project approval, land allotment, industrial licenses and other business-related approvals.
Reiterating the government’s commitment to make Uttarakhand one of the most investment-friendly states of India, the Chief Minister expressed confidence that the combination of corporate efficiency and transparent policies of the state will help create a sustainable economy that can serve as a model for the rest of the country. (ANI)
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