Ql. Why is the government keen on building a Start-up ecosystem in Chhattisgarh?
In recent times, Chhattisgarh has performed consistently well, vis-à-vis the national average when it comes to delivering economic growth. However, like the rest of India, our state not only needs to accelerate this pace of growth but aim for a quantum jump in growth, to provide a better sustainable quality of life for our citizens with opportunities for the many (“Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas).
My belief is that leapfrogging in growth can only be achieved through disruptive innovations; and disruptive innovations are more likely to emerge from creative entrepreneurs running energetic and knowledge-based start-ups. I want Chhattisgarh to be a destination for Indian entrepreneurs — a place where they can unleash their creativity and launch world-beating products/services not only to sell to the rest of India, but to the world.
Our government is committed to creating that environment and infrastructure along with the other support mechanisms such as mentoring, funding and access to wider markets that makes Chhattisgarh the preferred destination for Indian and foreign innovative companies.
This would not just improve the state’s performance on economic indices but develop unique innovation quotient/capital, while enabling the state to lift more people out of poverty and create opportunities for those in the marginalised sections of society.
We have been among the pioneering states in the country with a comprehensive start-up policy that has been embraced byall the key stakeholders in the state and we will ensure a vibrant internationally connected start-up ecosystem in Chhattisgarh.
Q2. Why the aim to be “the” Frugal Innovation hub of the country?
There is a consensus across nations that inequality is the biggest threat facing humanity, which also states that technology has exacerbated this challenge.The role of innovation and technology in alleviating absolute poverty has been a tremendous success, however, when it comes to bridging the equality gap, it has in fact done the opposite. The scale of inequality in the world today is unsustainable and poses significant danger to our societies in the long run.
Frugal Innovation enabled by technology aims to reverse that trend and ensure not only basic amenities but also opportunities that are available to the socio-economically weaker sections of our society. It answers questions about how to best harness human ingenuity with technology to provide health care, education, electricity alongside access to technology and opportunities at the cheapest possible cost to support the aspirations of the poorer 6 billion.
By becoming the frugal innovation hub of the country, we will be able to deploy those solutions in our home state and help not only deliver improved public services but also ensure that the wider society in Chhattisgarh has access to the tools needed to succeed in the 21st century economy. And this comes with a significant market proposition.
These frugal solutions, once successful in a country like India, would have the potential of solving similar challenges across the developing world. The market for Indian frugal innovation solution, the AtalInnovation Mission believes, is in the region of hundreds of billions of dollars over the next decade or so. Our aim is to have Chhattisgarh at the heart of this frugal solutions export model – “Make in Chhattisgarh- sell in India; sell globally”.
Q3. Chhattisgarh seeks to make all its urban bodies “smart.” What is the vision that is driving this and what steps are being taken to ensure fruition?
The simple answer is that citizens everywhere deserve a good sustainable quality of life with opportunities. So, our vision is not only about urban bodies but ideally delivering similar quality of life in our villages, where our citizens are not left behind. That isthe vision.
The Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led national mission on Smart Cities showcases the path; but people beyond those smart cities, chosen in the national framework, deserve and aspire to achieve a similar quality of life. And it is upto the state and local governments to further the impact of the national initiative – through state-based programmes developed around local needs and aspirations.
Q4. You have often used the phrase “nutritional security” and your commitment to pursuing this. Could you provide some insights?
Malnutrition, especially among the poorer sections of society, has been a barrier to living fulfilling and productive lives. Among children, they have devastating life-long impacts and hence, addressing food and nutrition challenges, including agrarian ones, have been a key hallmark of my government. It also demonstrates that frugal innovation does not necessarily mean enabled by technology.
Chhattisgarh has been a pioneer in delivering food and nutritional security where 85% of the households in the state are covered under the MukhyamantriKhaddyanna Suraksha Yojana and almost all the families in the state are covered through the Chhattisgarh Food and Nutrition SecurityAct. The entitlements are provided to each household and the eldest woman in the household is deemed to be the head of the household. Through these initiatives, we have been able to cover a significant majority of the households in the urban informal sector, landless labourers, marginal farmers among others, in the most vulnerable sections of society.
One of the key innovations that have been deployed in the state is how we have rethought the public distribution system (PDS). The approach we inherited, like in most states, was designed around private entities that completed the “last mile” in public distribution. We have now adopted a model where these private entities have been replaced by community organisations including Gram Panchayats (village councils), women’s self-help groups and other community organisations. These have tackled a significant part of the leakage, that is often the case with public distribution systems in most parts of the country, including Chhattisgarh.
Q5. How do you envision the state in 2028? What are the key steps that need to be taken to turn your vision into reality?
We are committed to speeding up Chhattisgarh’s growth across all parameters over the next five years, based upon Hon’ble Prime Minister Modi’s Vision of Naya Bharat or New India@2022. For this, we must harness the efforts of all stakeholders — government, civil society, academia, private sector, public sector and development partners, towards specific outcomes, to be achieved in full measure, by or before 2022, when the nation celebrates the 75th anniversary of our Independence.
The outcomes that would enable the realisation of the above vision would relate to an India that is Swachhh (Clean), Healthy (Swasth), Shikshit (Educated), Sampann (Prosperous), Saksham (Capable) and Surkashit (Secure).
India Outbound
April 22, 2018
The post In Conversation with Dr. Raman Singh, Hon’ble CM of Chhattisgarh appeared first on .
source https://indiaoutbound.org/in-conversation-with-dr-raman-singh-honble-cm-of-chhattisgarh/
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