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CII urges states to boost reform

The Confederation of Indian Industry urged state governments on Wednesday to step up economic reforms to help the country achieve more than six per cent growth in 2001-02.

"States hold the key to India's growth. Unless the various state governments vigorously push reforms in their own regions, India will never be able to achieve growth of 6.64 per cent that we expect this year," CII president Sanjeev Goenka said.

The UN Conference on Trade and Development estimated last month that Indian growth fell to 5.7 per cent in 2000 from 6.4 per cent the previous year. The figure was below the government's 6.0 per cent forecast for 2000.

"On our part, we're ready to do our bit to help the different states introduce much-needed procedural and infrastructural reforms to help the country grow," Goenka added. Reforms were needed in the power sector, roads, ports and housing, he said.

Goenka said the organisation planned to team up with the governments of Gujarat state and Madhya Pradesh by June to boost investments in these regions.

The CII already has begun similar efforts with Maharashtra, New Delhi, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka and West Bengal.

"Our agenda this year is 'driving growth through competitiveness and infrastructure' and we believe the taskforce arrangements with the leading Indian states will play a big role in ensuring the Indian economy performs well this year," he said.

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