Now, CMs lobby for India, Inc.

NEW DELHI: It’s the economy, stupid. Indian politicians seem to have at last learnt this poll mantra. It’s no longer businessmen running around in government corridors; chief ministers are now going all out to woo India Inc. However, they are very particular about what they want.

So while Buddhadeb Bhattacharya is beckoning the food processing industry to West Bengal, BS Hooda is going all out for SEZs in Haryana. Similarly, Y S Rajasekar Reddy is wooing IT and BPO to Andhra Pradesh. Earlier this year, Mukesh Ambani announced two projects worth Rs 4,000 crore centred around agri-hubs and retailing chains in West Bengal. The state has targeted Rs 15,000 crore in food processing industry and plans to set up 10 food parks.

“Bengal’s approach is extremely aggressive and the chief minister has realised the worth of the food processing industry,” says Subodh Kant Sahay, minister of state for food processing.

In Haryana, it is all about special economic zones (SEZs), with the state planning 30 SEZs spread over 1.2 lakh acres. The Hooda government has got in-principle approval for 16, with the likes of Reliance, Unitech, DLF and DS Constructions hopping aboard. The biggest advertisement for Haryana’s SEZ is Reliance, which has signed a Rs 40,000-crore deal for a 25,000-acre SEZ.

“It is the government’s major thrust area and we are keen to ensure that the policy regime is right for SEZ promoters,” says Haryana principal secretary and investment promotion cell chief coordinator Ashok Lavasa.

Andhra CM Rajasekhar Reddy is all set to capture 33per cent of national IT share by ‘09. His government has set up four think tanks for IT, ITeS, hardware and animation, aimed at accelerating IT growth in Tier-II cities. The state is also looking at a knowledge corridor near Hyderabad to turn the city into IT powerhouse.

Nasscom president Kiran Karnik has sought Reddy’s help to lobby for extending tax sops for IT and BPO sector beyond ‘09.

“I have also requested the PM and FM to expedite the announcement of a central policy on fabrication units. It is now being examined by the finance ministry and likely to be cleared soon,” Andhra Pradesh chief minister told ET.

The urban land ceiling law in Andhra Pradesh is also expected to be amended soon.