Bengaluru, Pune, Ranchi started together... but Ranchi lagged behind

Harivansh

Senior Journalist, 

Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha

Despite having 40% of the country's mineral wealth, Jharkhand is the second poorest state in the country. Now, Jharkhand is in the electoral arena to write a new destiny. The public must seek answers from the potential representatives about their vision and strategy for the state's future with regards to this mineral wealth. 

The reason being that the world is now reducing its dependence on the energy from fossil fuels and moving towards a green economy. This is a global commitment to save the environment. Since 1980, this has been the goal here as well. Recently, a task force has also been formed in Jharkhand, the 'Just Transition Task Force', with the aim of reducing dependence on fossil fuelsand stride towards ‘Green Economy’. 

A large population in Jharkhand is engaged in fossil fuel mining. The aim of this policy is to train them and employ them in alternative sectors. Sooner or later, we will have to reduce our dependence on coal production. This might continue for a few decades, but other states are rapidly moving towards plans for electricity generation from solar energy, wind energy, or other sources. Even India is making significant strides in this direction.

In these Jharkhand elections, every voter has the right to know from their future representative (MLA) what their policy or vision is, regarding fossil fuels and ‘Just transition’. Today, this may seem like a hypothetical question. But with approaching the approaching future, when despite having huge coal reserves, we will have to reduce or phase out their production, or even stop it altogether within a certain timeframe.

This could become a reality soon. Akin to Jharkhand, the country, and the world too are grappling with environmental crises. Former RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan's recent article acknowledges that the Earth's temperature is rising, new viruses are emerging, and risks are increasing, hindering traditional development paths. Economies are faltering.

Under these circumstances, Jharkhand, India, and the world will have to take steps to protect the environment. This will inevitably impact coal mining. Preparing for future crises is a fundamental duty of state governments. Addressing such crises requires future legislators to present their plans directly to the public.

Immediately after independence, India envisioned rapid industrial development. In 1958, the foundation of HEC was laid in Ranchi. Similarly, the foundations of HMT were laid in Bengaluru (1953) and Hindustan Antibiotics in Pune in 1954. The then central government wanted to see these three centers as the best industrial centers of new India. The country's vision was that due to the ecosystem- combination of weather, environment, and education, these three centers would become the three new pilgrimage sites pertaining to the country's industrial development. But, where is Bengaluru, Pune, and Ranchi today? Bengaluru city, alone contributes more than 43.65 percent to Karnataka's economy. Today it is a pilgrimage site for the world's every famous and advanced cutting-edge technology.

Continued

Bengaluru, Pune, Ranchi started together... but Ranchi lagged behind...

According to the Civil Growth Index, Bengaluru is the fastest-growing city in the world in 2024. Its economy, population, and wealth, all are growing at the fastest pace. Pune contributes the third-largest share to Maharashtra's economy. Pune alone contributed nearly 3.32 lakh crore to Maharashtra's GDP in 2019-20. It is the sixth-largest city in the country in terms of per capita income. 

But where is Ranchi? Does any political party have a dream or blueprint to make this Ranchi a hub of knowledge and technology in the world? This is a legitimate public question. Surprisingly, this public discourse should happen in Jharkhand politics for the benefit of the people of Jharkhand. Out of the country's total 708 districts, only 13 districts contribute more than half to the country's GDP (Source: Ministry of Statistics and Program Implementation, Year 2020-21). 

These districts are (in billion dollars): Mumbai City (273), Delhi (262), Kolkata (151), Bengaluru City (120), Pune (117), Hyderabad (115), Ahmedabad (114), Chennai (109), Surat (80), Thane (80), Jaipur (66), Nagpur (62) and Nashik (56) billion dollars. They contribute to the country's GDP.

The Indian government had the vision of making Pune, Bengaluru, and Ranchi, in the 1960s the top industrial centers of the country. Offices of HEC, Mecon, Coal India, etc. were established in Ranchi. Bokaro Steel Plant was opened. But where do we find Pune and Bengaluru today on the development map of the country? And where is Ranchi in that very map?

Is it the failure of the central government or the local politics – administration and governments. What can be expected from a dreamless and visionless politics? The 2024 assembly elections will decide whether Ranchi or Jharkhand has the courage and determination to regain its lost glory?

On Diwali, Ranchi, the capital of a state that fuels the nation with its coal, is expected to experience numerous power outages within 24 hours. If this issue isn't a major concern during the state elections, how can Jharkhand's future improve? Why is it relevant to revisit this past incident during this election season?

In the 1950s and 1960s, the central government aimed to develop Ranchi alongside Bengaluru and Pune. State governments at the time implemented reforms in education, infrastructure, and industrial policy, attracting investment from both domestic and international sources. Bureaucracy and corruption were mitigated, and the business environment was improved. Additionally, they adopted forward-thinking policies in education, healthcare, and infrastructure to adapt to future trends.

The results are evident: Bengaluru and Pune have flourished, while Ranchi has lagged. Historians often emphasize the importance of learning from past mistakes to shape a better future. However, the world has changed significantly since the 1950s and 1960s. Today, coal reserves alone cannot attract new industries and opportunities. We must focus on emerging sectors and embrace new opportunities.

According to a report, by 2030, 5 crore new jobs will be created in the country. The state government should have a plan to take advantage of this sector. Voters should ask potential representatives what their vision is for establishing Jharkhand's identity in this new sector.

Similarly, there is a new field of electronics production. It is estimated that by 2030, the country's electronics production will reach 42 lakh crore rupees. The India Electronics report says that 60 lakh new job opportunities are coming in this sector. Smartphone manufacturing is the most important of these. Today, India is the world's second-largest smartphone manufacturer.

But does Jharkhand have even a single smartphone manufacturing unit? If not, then why? Understand the ground reality. Who will the voters blame for this? A few days ago, we read the news that by the end of this year, Apple is opening its fourth iPhone plant under the 'Make in India' initiative. This is in Tamil Nadu, India. Tata Electronics is Apple's primary contract manufacturer. Apple is expanding its business outside of China. Tata is investing 6000 crores in this new plant.

This new plant will be spread over 250 acres in Sriperumbudur near Chennai. 50% of the employees will be women. Apple started manufacturing iPhones in India in 2017. Apple is reducing its dependence on China. After reading this news, a question arises in mind. The industrial group that started its journey (1907) from Jharkhand, then built its global credibility and reputation, and became a major industrial group in the world. If it had got the right 'ecosystem' (environment) here, then it is possible that such factories would have opened here automatically. 

The essence of modern development in the world is that capital or investment or entrepreneurs are attracted where there is complete security. The law and order system is excellent. Governance is effective and transparent.

Last year, I remembered a news report in Dainik Bhaskar (24.09.23) in the context of Jharkhand. 'Businessmen are terrified by the news of shootings or murders of businessmen in Jharkhand every other day. It has become common to receive threats of extortion over social media or phone. This fear of criminals increases even more when businessmen do not get security even after demanding police protection. Dainik Bhaskar investigated and found that in the last six months (March to September 2023), 23 businessmen were shot dead, out of which nine had sought police protection after receiving threats, but did not get it.'

Every voter should ask himself whether investors from famous industrial houses and those who want to expand their business will come in this environment? Capital investment or development flows where there is rule of law. There is peace and tranquility. Timely justice is available. There is an environment free from crime and terror. There is no fear of politicians. There are no middlemen and brokers. Capital is created in such an environment.

Translated by Santosh Deepak 

Courtesy : Dainik Bhaskar

Edited by Smita DeyTarafder

(These are the author’s own views)

Jharkhand has abundant human resources, but it needs to be given the right environment and opportunities.

Chapter 4 to be published here tomorrow