Form one east policy, reduce infrastructure deficit for growth in eastern India, say experts
India Today
Former Chief Economic Adviser to the Government of India Ashok Kumar Lahiri has said that per capita income in eastern states needs to improve and the problem of corruption must be addressed.
States in the eastern part of India must act together to reduce the infrastructure deficit and form a "one east policy" in order to catch up with the rest of the country and kickstart the growth engine in the region, experts said at the India Today Conclave East 2022.
Former Chief Economic Adviser to the Government of India Ashok Kumar Lahiri has said that per capita income in eastern states needs to improve and the problem of corruption must be addressed. "The infrastructure deficit is enormous in eastern India and that needs to be changed. Time to build railway lines till the Bangladesh border," Lahiri said at the fifth edition of the India Today Conclave East.
Pronab Sen, Country Director, International Growth Centre—India, said the developing pattern that is being seen in the east is small industry catering to local market. He focused on improving inter-state connectivity and better co-ordination among neighbouring states.
"The Centre's role is relatively small and it resolves the differences between neighbouring states. Neighbouring states must sit together and have a common platform. States must do this voluntarily and chalk out a plan," Sen said.
Sagar Daryani, CEO and Co-Founder, Wow! Momo, said more and more startups are coming to states in eastern India and Odisha and Meghalaya are topping that list. "Ease of doing business seen in eastern India is better than south and west," Daryani said.
Daryani said that the need of the hour is to have a "One East Policy", better road infrastructure. He said that new age businesses need to be promoted and central and states must act together.
"New age entrepreneurs are go-getters. One east policy is required and new age entrepreneurs must be part of that policy," the Wow! Momo co-founder said, adding, "real juice is in tier 2 cities and the population is our biggest asset."
