Bhopal, Mar 20: As a part of its annual day, Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) Madhya Pradesh organised a session on "Madhya Pradesh Infrastructure: The Road Ahead" here today. The objective of the session was to open up the subject for debate by all stakeholders and drawing a roadmap for moving towards rapid and effective infrastructure development in Madhya Pradesh.

While welcoming the gathering, Subhash Vithaldas, Chairman, CII - Madhya Pradesh said that the development of the infrastructure is important to any growing economy, primarily, because it provides essential services. He said that the development of the infrastructure could also do much to stimulate economic growth. The employment generated by major projects in this area creates new markets for manufactured goods, he added. Work on infrastructure projects has a training value; workers are introduced to industrial employment and are, thereby, prepared to work in production industries. Thus, major infrastructure projects assist a developing economy by providing work for the unemployed, he stressed.

Shrinivas V Dempo, Chairman, CII Western Region while addressing said that today, Indian States have been taking several steps for upgrading and enhancing its strengths in terms of infrastructural facilities. This in turn will attract more and more investors into the states and help in sustaining the competitiveness of the Indian economy on the global platform. Many state governments have framed an infrastructure policy with the aim of adopting a co-ordinated and integrated approach towards infrastructure development.

Pratap Verma, Industrial Advisor, Govt of Madhya Pradesh made a presentation highlighting infrastructure potential of the state. He shared the state government's perspective on basic, industrial and urban infrastructure in the state. He shared vision and strategies of the state government in the areas of water supply, sanitation and solid waste management, slum relocation and redevelopment, transport, heritage, art and culture, real estate and housing.

SR Bansal, Vice President, Credit & Risk Management, Infrastructure Finance Co Ltd made a presentation on infrastructure financing and related issues. The importance of infrastructure for rapid economic development cannot be overstated.

S Sridhar, Chairman and Managing Director, National Housing Bank while delivering keynote address said that the public sector accounts for 60% and balance 40% has to come from the private sector. Thus, the private sector is required to play a much greater role in infrastructure than hitherto. However, there is unanimity that infrastructure would constitute a major constraint in realising this goal unless urgent steps are taken to address the inadequacies.

A large group of industry, institutions, associations, academician and government officials attended the session.

CEDMAP to set up demonstration park

By Our Staff Reporter

Bhopal, Mar 20: Centre for Entrepreneurship Development Madhya Pradesh (CEDMAP) is all set to achieve another landmark in the field of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants. CEDMAP has entered into an MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) with Government Women's Polytechnic College, Sehore to develop Demonstration Park for Medicinal and Aromatic Plants and involved in activities like NADEP and Vermicompost. As per information given by the Executive Director Jitendra Tiwari, The Park would be spread over half an acre and would have all modern amenities like Green Park/Pack House, Drip Irrigation facilities etc.

The park would be a boom to farmers, researchers and public at large, who want to take up cultivation, processing, warehousing activities of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants. In this context an agreement has been signed on March 10 by Dora, Principal of Government Women's Polytechnic College, Sehore. The demonstration park would have plants of common and rare varieties like Mentha, Lemongrass, Java Citronella, Palmarosa, Safed Musll, Kewanch, Ashwagandha, Sarpgandha, Mushkdana Bach, Papaya, Kalmegh, Sindoori, Chandrashoor, Harra, Baheda, Awla, Guggal, Satawar, Kalihari, Garlic, Tumeric, Ginger, Biabidang.

Tiwari further added that CEDMAP is keenly looking out for similar arrangements with different Government Institution so that people living in different districts of Madhya Pradesh can be motivated and trained for promotion of MAP related activities. The Park is ideally located on main Bhopal, Indore road near Railway Crossing providing opportunities to travelers to acquaint themselves with medicinal and aromatic plants while carrying out their business travel. He also informed that CEDMAP keeping in view Parks Prime location on a busy highway would explore possibility of giving to small farmers, women, SHGs etc to demonstrate and sell their products.

CEDMAP is a prominent institution in the field of Entrepreneurship Development has been trying to move up the value chain in MAP activities from merely providing training establishing demonstration parks, processing facilities etc.