A: In the last 10 years, our economy has seen a sharp decline in its growth rate. And whatever little growth we are having can also be called jobless growth. This is because the UPA government has never given adequate emphasis on the manufacturing sector. We are very clear that we have to revive growth in the manufacturing sector. That is the only way to generate adequate employment for our youth.
To step up growth in manufacturing, we have to revive investor sentiment. We have to clear projects in a fast-track mode. If there are environment related concerns, they need to be suitably addressed, but all decisions must be taken in a time-frame.
We cannot permit the present state of policy paralysis and indecisiveness to continue for long. Our procedures have to be made more transparent and swift. We have to move towards a single-window clearance system.
We have to also ensure that in all such decisions, the state governments are taken together so that lack of coordination between central and state governments does not lead to undue delays in clearing project investments.
As far as the land acquisition policy is concerned, we are very clear that the first priority has to be to protect the interest of the farmers whose land is being acquired. They have to be adequately compensated as per the market rates. As far as possible we should go through the private purchase route rather than compulsory acquisition.
Even where compulsory acquisition is resorted to, the compensation should be decided in consent between the farmer and the acquiring authority.
