‘Central budget to bolster vision of developed India’

 

Chhattisgarh’s Finance Minister O P Choudhary, has laid out an ambitious plan to double the state’s Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) while addressing the critical issues of climate change and promoting a green economy. Speaking at the India Rural Dialogue 2024, Choudhary highlighted the need for a robust compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14 percent to achieve this goal. Choudhary emphasised the importance of climate-resilient infrastructure and sustainable agricultural practices, calling them strategic investments for the state’s future. Drawing from his personal experience as a farmer, he underscored the challenges faced by the agricultural sector, including climate change and market volatility. “Increasing investment in climate-resilient infrastructure and promoting sustainable agricultural practices is a strategic investment in our future,” Choudhary said.

 

The India Rural Dialogue, organized by Transform Rural India (TRI) in partnership with the Indian Institute of Management, Raipur, brought together key speakers such as IIM-Raipur Director Ram Kakan, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister’s Secretary Rahul Bhagat, and TRI’s co-leader Anirban Ghosh.

Anirban Ghosh highlighted the importance of collaboration, saying, “By fostering collaboration between the government, academia, and the private sector, we can accelerate progress towards a climate-smart and equitable rural India.” The event’s opening session, focused on ‘Advancing Good Governance and a Holistic Government Approach for a Developed Chhattisgarh,’ saw speakers discussing strategies to enhance transparency, accountability, and efficiency in government institutions.

“Good governance is the cornerstone of sustainable development,” said Professor Dr. Varsha Mandi of IIM-Raipur. “By strengthening our institutions and promoting civic engagement, we can better address the challenges posed by climate change.”

 

A session on ‘Climate Action’ emphasized building local partnerships to promote technology-based solutions for water scarcity. Key speakers included Dr. Varsha Mandi, Principal Secretary of the Panchayat and Rural Development Department Niharika Barik Singh, and CEO of Hindustan Unilever

Foundation Shravan Jha. “Water is the lifeline of our rural communities,” Niharika Barik Singh stated. “We must prioritize water conservation, efficient irrigation practices, and the adoption of drought-resistant crops.” Another session, ‘Forest Health: Future-proofing the Health of People, Wildlife, and Ecosystems against Poverty,’ featured Manoj Pingua, Additional Chief Secretary of the Health Department, and Dr. André Noguera, CEO of Leap Design. The discussions aimed to empower Chhattisgarh’s agricultural communities to overcome climate-related challenges. “A healthy population is essential for a prosperous rural economy,” said Dr André Noguera. “By investing in preventive healthcare, nutrition, and sanitation, we can build resilience against climate shocks.” The India Rural Dialogue 2024, running from August 1 to 8, is a series of programs aimed at inspiring rural rejuvenation across states like Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, and Chhattisgarh. In its fourth edition, the Dialogue gathers voices from civil society, government, and business to generate actionable solutions for rural development. The event features panel discussions, debates, fireside chats, and roundtable conferences, addressing critical issues such as climate resilience, health and nutrition, youth employment, micro-enterprise, agricultural prosperity, gender inclusivity, and local governance, with the goal of building a prosperous rural India.