Advani favours higher govt-pvt sector cooperation

NEW DELHI: Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani on Wednesday sought greater private initiative in various fields that are now completely the government’s domain, saying determined efforts were required to maximise the potential of government-private sector cooperation.
Stressing on synergy in efforts by public and private sectors in fields like aviation and tourism, he said India had infinite prospects and talent at its disposal and earnest efforts by both public and private sectors were required to bring the country to the forefront of the international community in the 21st century.
Inaugurating a conference on aviation and tourism strategy in a changing business environment, Advani said the global environment had considerably changed in recent times and the private sector was now accepted with a positive frame of mind, unlike in the past.
Stating that India had tremendous potential in tourism and aviation sectors, he said effective steps to synergise efforts of the private sector and government would have to be made. Also, a sense of optimism and confidence needed to be generated in the public mind to "remove the sense of despair, negativism, diffidence, self-flagellation and that we are inherently weak."
Civil Aviation Minister Shahnawaz Hussain, in his address, announced that restructuring of four metro airports would be completed by October next year.
The ministry had earlier said the process would be completed by the end of the current fiscal.
Hussain said "we are also considering a proposal for attracting private participation in the development of non-metro airports as well".