Gujarat CM Anandi Patel gives credit to PM Modi for Suzuki plant

HANSALPUR: Gujarat Chief Minister Anandi Patel today said foreign investors like Japanese Suzuki Group are coming to the state on account of efforts made by her predecessor Narendra Modi.
Laying the foundation stone for Suzuki Group's vehicle manufacturing plant here, Patel said the credit for the project goes to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"He (Modi) had invited Japanese manufacturers to India when he visited the country two years back during his chief ministerial regime," Patel said, adding that Modi concentrated on building the infrastructure like road, water, electricity and village development, which has led foreign investors to come to Gujarat.

"Since the inception of Vibrant Gujarat Summit in 2003, we went to foreign countries urging them to come and invest in Gujarat. It was like a girl's father wooing a boy to marry his girl. We showcased Gujarat before the world," said Patel who had served as a minister in Modi government.

"Due to our efforts, entire world is attracted to invest in Gujarat today. The reason behind that is proactive governance here," she said recalling the success of Vibrant Gujarat Summit where MoUs worth Rs 25 lakh crore were inked.

Patel said she had been in Hansalpur area in 1998 when Congress was in power and the land was barren with some babool trees.

She said development was expedited under the BJP's rule. Without referring to earlier opposition to the manufacturing plant by farmers over acquisition of land, Patel said some people were misguided but now they have realised their mistake.

"I am telling you this for the last time, do not make such mistake again. Government never wants to snatch your land, whatever has been taken from you by the government, you got ten per cent more than that," Patel said.

This was such a land which cannot be be sold even for Rs 500, now you will see, how the price of this land will touch the sky, Patel added.

She said Suzuki group will set up five Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) in Gujarat to educate local youths. Suzuki group has also given a cheque of Rs 10 lakh to build toilets in Hansalpur under 'Swacchata Nidhi Yojna'.

The Suzuki group will set up three plants at Hansalpur with a total capacity of 7.5 lakh vehicles.

The first plant is scheduled to start production in mid-2017. It is being set up at an investment of about Rs 3,000 crore and will have annual capacity of 2.5 lakh units.