Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on Sunday that India will soon launch a comprehensive National Manufacturing Mission (NMM). He called upon state governments to treat this initiative as a top priority and develop the necessary infrastructure to attract international companies.
A Push for Manufacturing and Services
The announcement was made during the national conference of chief secretaries held in New Delhi. According to an official statement, the Prime Minister outlined that the mission will focus heavily on improving the ease of doing business, with specific attention to crucial factors like land acquisition, utilities, and social infrastructure.
Modi urged states to actively encourage manufacturing, enhance the 'ease of doing business' environment, and simultaneously strengthen the services sector. He emphasized that for India to become a 'global services giant,' greater focus must be placed on healthcare, education, transport, tourism, professional services, and the burgeoning field of artificial intelligence.
Focus on High-Value Sectors and Human Capital
Aligning with India's aspiration to be the world's food basket, the Prime Minister stressed the need to shift towards high-value agriculture, dairy, and fisheries, prioritizing exports. He highlighted that the PM Dhan Dhanya Scheme has already identified 100 districts with lower agricultural productivity for targeted intervention.
Similarly, he directed states to identify the bottom 100 districts in terms of learning outcomes and work on resolving the issues causing these low indicators. Modi underscored that human capital is the fundamental driver of both economic growth and social progress, requiring a coordinated 'whole-of-government' approach for its development.
Highlighting India's unique demographic advantage, Modi noted that nearly 70% of the population is in the working-age group. He described this as a historic opportunity that, when combined with economic progress, can dramatically accelerate India's journey towards a developed nation, or 'Viksit Bharat.'
Quality and Tourism as Key Pillars
The Prime Minister asserted that 'Viksit Bharat' is synonymous with quality and excellence, stating that average outcomes are insufficient. He emphasized the need for high standards in governance, service delivery, and manufacturing, declaring that the 'Made in India' label must become a global symbol of excellence and competitiveness.
Modi also pointed to tourism as a major sector for youth livelihood. Noting India's rich heritage and history, he said the country has the potential to rank among the world's top tourist destinations. He urged every state to prepare a roadmap for developing at least one destination of global standards and nurturing a complete tourist ecosystem around it.
The conference of chief secretaries serves as a platform for the Prime Minister to interact with top state-level officials, discuss national priorities, and set the agenda for future meetings with state chief ministers.
