Speeding up economic growth with social inclusion on Modi government's agenda for next year

In kickstarting government priorities for 2018, top bureaucrats are setting the stage for a major performance push before elections.
Representational image. (File | reuters)
Representational image. (File | reuters)

NEW DELHI: In kickstarting government priorities for 2018, top bureaucrats are setting the stage for a major performance push before elections.

A presentation to the PMO on accelerating growth and social inclusion outlines the plan to complete 2.25 lakh km of roads in rural India by 2018, take internet connectivity to all 6.47 lakh villages, continue reforms in the industry and services sector to ensure that India makes it to the top 30 in the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business ranking by 2019.

The presentation, reviewed by The New Indian Express, shows the government plans to attract top global original equipment manufacturers after India made it to the top 100 in the Ease of Doing Business index in October. “Redefine the role of MSMEs to align them with international standards and create viable atmosphere to make India global hub for sourcing auto components. Large scale nuclear and solar power equipment manufacturing plants to be set up,” the presentation said.

Since the service industry would continue to be the major contributor to the GDP, the government focus would be on IT-enabled services, medical tourism, contractual research and development, knowledge process outsourcing and business process outsourcing.

A senior government officer said they also hope to corporatise major ports and announce new ports in 2018 linked to the eastern dedicated freight corridor.

“There is also possibility of setting up teams of technocrats to structure and de-risk key infrastructure projects and focus on capital market reforms and banking sector reforms with the aim to increase contribution of manufacturing in the GDP,” the officer said. “The effort in 2018 will also be on insurance coverage and social security schemes,” he added.

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