Gadkari invokes Nehru-Gandhi ideals to drive mining-led jobs in Vidarbha
Speaking at the 'India@100: Charting Vidarbha's Journey to a Developed India' event in Nagpur, Mr. Gadkari recalled Nehru's emphasis on maximising production and Gandhi's insistence on inclusive economic participation.
'Nehruji used to say, that we need maximum production, while Gandhiji used to say, 'we need maximum production with the involvement of the maximum number of people. That's the principle we want to adopt for Vidarbha. We want to increase maximum production with the involvement of maximum number of people,' Mr. Gadkari said.
The Minister said that the mining sector would be central to this plan, and a new national mining policy is being finalised to remove red tape and fast-track industrial activity in resource-rich areas like Gadchiroli.
'The draft policy was recently tabled before the cabinet. While the Prime Minister had some reservations, after I shared my suggestions, he directed the cabinet secretary to review the policy with me,' Mr. Gadkari said.
He emphasised the need for time-bound clearance of mining projects. 'Environmental approvals should not take more than a month. All state and central permissions must be completed within three months. From the fourth month, production should begin,' he said, underlining that such efficiency would significantly improve ease of doing business in the sector.
Mr. Gadkari said the intent is not just faster economic growth but also job creation in tribal and underdeveloped districts, where mining and related sectors can be a major employment generator.
Gadchiroli, part of the Vidarbha region, has recently seen industrial interest in mining and steel sectors, and Gadkari said the region is well-placed to benefit from the upcoming reforms.
The Central Government's new mining policy, he added, will mark a shift from bureaucratic delays to rapid, transparent implementation.
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