Department of Public Administration

Department of Public Administration, Panjab University, Chandigarh, CUTS International, Jaipur and Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA) Panjab and Chandigarh (UT) Regional Branch jointly organized a Focused Group Discussion (FGD) on the theme "Competitiveness of the Indian States" on November 21. The objective of the event was to have a focused discussion on competiveness from the lens of ‘Ease of Doing Business’ and facilitate cross learning between India and the United States.  The FGD was chaired by Mr. Anirudh Tewari (IAS), Chief Executive Officer, Punjab Bureau of Investment Promotion.

Professor B.S. Ghuman while welcoming the delegates opined that North Indian states including Punjab and Haryana have undertaken exceedingly well designed business reforms for facilitating ease of doing business. Both the states have found slots in the category of leading states. Now the states should launch an aggressive strategy to attract both domestic and foreign investment. For example, Punjab should concentrate more upon three types of industries namely agro-based, foot loose and knowledge based which have locational advantage in the state.

Ms. Neha Tomar, CUTS International, explained the purpose of the discussion is to provide a platform to deliberate upon specific issues regarding competitiveness and exchange of good practices. The idea is to find sustainable solutions to make Punjab and Haryana more competitive.

Mr. Douglas G Fowler, Economic Officer, North India Office, US Embassy apprised the audience that the discussion organized is a part of the Speaking Tour funded by the American Embassy with a view to understand the policy initiatives undertaken by states to make them competitive.

Albert Foer, Founder and Senior Fellow, American Antitrust Institute., Washington in his Keynote Address opined that competitiveness extends to include issues like tax policy, infrastructure, innovation, job creation, Intellectual Property Rights and beyond. Governments should design policies for making firms competitive locally so that they become competitive globally.

Mr. Anirudh Tewari said that Punjab has emerged as a leader state for implementing reforms for ease of doing business mainly by setting up of Punjab Bureau of Investment Promotion (one stop clearance institutional mechanism) to facilitate ease of doing business and approval of fiscal incentives in the State. Punjab has succeeded in realizing maximum investment as a follow up of the first investment summit 2013. Specific plans are in progress to harness the potential of promised investment in the Second Investment Summit 2015. Punjab having an edge over the other states in terms of quality of infrastructure both physical and social, 24X7 supply of power and time bound clearances of the project has emerged as most favourable destination among investors.

Prof. Manoj Sharma, University Business School, Panjab University, Chandigarh said that in this age of competitiveness, the Indian states should introduce changes in the contents of reforms covering their strategies, structures and systems. Above all attitudinal changes in the mind set of elected and appointed officials will make the states more competitive.

Professor Upinder Sawhney, Head, Department of Economics, Panjab University, Chandigarh stated that states must acknowledge the problems in their economies like deceleration of the rate of growth, fiscal imbalances, failure of specific sector reforms and declining rate of growth of per capita income. Every economy, before competing with its peers, must compete with itself.

Large number of participants comprising members of IIPA Regional Branch, faculty, research scholars, students, members of civil society, media and industry participated in the discussion.

Dr. Bharati Garg proposed a vote of thanks.