Jaipur, Oct 16 Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma on Friday urged non-resident Rajasthanis to invest in their home state and contribute to its economic development, announcing 11 new Rajasthan Foundation chapters in India and abroad.
Addressing a ‘Pravasi Rajasthani Samvad’ programme at the Rajasthan International Centre here, Sharma described the Rajasthani diaspora as global brand ambassadors for the state’s rich culture and heritage.
He said the state government was encouraging non-resident Rajasthanis to strengthen their ties with their homeland through investment, social initiatives and cultural engagement. “Along with ‘Padharo Mhare Desh’, we must promote the spirit of ‘Padharo Thare Desh’ and encourage Rajasthanis living elsewhere to contribute to the development of their home state,” he said.
The chief minister announced six new Rajasthan Foundation chapters in Raipur, Lucknow, Patna, Siliguri, Panaji and Visakhapatnam, and four overseas chapters in San Francisco, Zurich, Milan and Dublin.
A Nordic chapter will also be established in Stockholm, covering Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Finland.
With these additions, the Rajasthan Foundation will expand from 40 to 51 chapters, including 25 in India and 26 abroad. Highlighting measures to attract investment, Sharma said the state government had reduced the consent-to-operate approval period for MSMEs from 120 days to 30 days and for large industries to 60 days.
He said the Raj Nivesh portal now offers around 190 services from 18 departments, and the state has expanded the list of white-category industries from 104 to 877.
Sharma said Rajasthan had established 472 industrial areas housing around 46,000 industrial units. He also highlighted the nearly Rs 80,000-crore greenfield refinery and petrochemical project, saying it would create opportunities for ancillary industries and employment.
On infrastructure development, the chief minister said the state is working on major water projects, nine greenfield expressways, and improved air connectivity under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership.
He also announced that the state would organise a Shekhawati Heritage Meet on December 8 to promote tourism and preserve the region’s architectural heritage. The government has identified 662 historical havelis for conservation and is developing a heritage tourism circuit covering Sikar, Jhunjhunu and Churu districts, he said.
Sharma invited non-resident Rajasthanis to attend the Pravasi Rajasthani Sammelan scheduled for December 10. He said around 62,000 groundwater recharge and water conservation structures had been constructed under the ‘Karmabhoomi Se Matrubhoomi’ campaign with contributions from the diaspora. The chief minister also released a coffee-table book titled ‘Vikas Ke Sahbhagi’.
Deputy Chief Ministers Diya Kumari and Prem Chand Bairwa, Jaipur Mayor Sunil Kothari and representatives of the Rajasthani diaspora attended the programme, while several participants joined virtually from India and abroad.
(PTI News)
