Acclaimed bureaucrat Rajiv K Gupta appointed as ACS Industries & Mines, Gujarat
By Shiv Kothari, National Editor, Government Affairs
NEW DELHI: India’s one of the most economically vibrant and investor’s friendly states – Gujarat seems all set to get the much-required elevation in its status of being a globally innovative, competitive industrial and foreign investment destination as it appoints seasoned bureaucrat and Additional Chief Secretary Dr. Rajiv Gupta to take over the reins of Industries and Mines department.
His appointment is part of the recent large-scale bureaucratic reshuffle in Gujarat in which 25 officers were either transferred or promoted.
The Indian Administrative Services officer of 1986-batch, Dr. Gupta comes with vast national and international professional experience, and he held various senior positions including Sardar Sarovar Nigam, Tourism, Water Resources, Higher & Technical Education, and Gujarat Narmada Valley Fertilizers and Chemicals Limited. He has also been Advisor in GAP Project, Prime Ministry, Turkey, and Principal Secretary, Climate Change Department, Water Supply Department, and Chairman, Water Supply & Sewerage Board, and CMD, Gujarat Water Infrastructure Limited.
While commenting on his new role during an interaction with Asian Community News (ACN) Network, Dr. Gupta said, “We will continue our strong focus on ‘Atmanirbhar policy’ declared by Honourable Prime Minister by facilitating more industries in sectors where imports can be substituted. In addition to this MSME sector, pending issues will be taken up in the right earnest.”
Formerly heading the Forest & Environment Department, Dr. Gupta owns the sobriquet “Hard Task Master” because of his committed approach to obtain desired results in a time-bound manner, and this characteristic of him has been remarkably utilized by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. And Dr. Gupta proved it when he was saddled with the responsibility of one of the most glorious projects – the 182-meter “The Statue of Unity” and he turned this into massive success with a record number of visitors and now being in operational profit.
Gujarat No.1 with 37% share of FDI $30.23 Billion 4th consecutive year
Out of all states in the country, Gujarat has emerged as the top FDI destination, accounting for 37 per cent of the total inflows.Almost 94 per cent of the investment that came in Gujarat during 2020-21 was in the computer hardware and software sector
Over a few years, the state has been looking to develop innovative sectors like Defence Manufacturing, Ship Building, Toys, Coastal Farming & Offshore Financial Activities through SEZ and GIFT City
He again, proved his mettle during the pressing time of the Covid-19 pandemic, right from the detection of the first case in Gujarat when the state’s top city Ahmedabad was facing the grave challenge of containing the spread. The Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani relied upon Gupta’s prowess by handing him over the additional responsibility of supervision of Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation as OSD.
He evolved an effective workable PPP model for bringing on board private hospitals by requisitioning their infrastructure and staff, and after a systematic and stringent implementation of a series of interventions, now popular as the Amdavad Model of COVID Management, the pandemic was tamed. WHO, NITI Aayog, Supreme Court, and Gujarat High Court have appreciated this Amdavad Model of COVID Management and have recommended it for replication by other megacities.
Also, his tenure as Managing Director of Gujarat Narmada Valley Fertilizers and Chemical Ltd from 2013 – 2018 goes down as one of the most revolutionary transformations in the history of PSU transformation across India. His gallant efforts in converting non-operating plants into the most efficient ones, achieving the highest ever profit in the history of Gujarat PSUs in just 5 years.
His contribution to the Neem Oil project has been well appreciated, and it earned accolades worldwide, The ‘Neem Project’ conceived and executed by him was awarded Porter Prize by Prof. Michael Porter- Harvard Business School.
Red Carpet for MSME from SEA Countries
With the new Industrial Policy announced in 2020, the state of Gujarat has created enterprising eco-system by providing India’s best incentives and rebates to the new industries. Dr Rajiv Gupta asserted that in the post covid scenario where SEA companies are opting for geographical diversification, Gujarat is ready to welcome them with World Class infrastructure and also to make India their hub to cater to Africa, Europe and GCC market
Dr. Gupta is a Gold Medalist and Ph.D. (International Law), in addition to having done specialized courses in Law, International Trade and Environment from United Nations University, Tokyo, and the University of Melbourne.
He has also been associated as an expert on ‘Water Law’ with the Institute of International Law at the International Court of Justice, The Hague, Netherlands.
New Era of Partnership between Gujarat & East Asian Countries
Gujarat has some of India’s key infrastructure projects like Bullet Train, Gujarat International Finance-Tech City, Dholera SIR, Mandal-Bechraji SIR that offer many opportunities of co-operation and partnership with developed South East Asian Countries. JICA has extended 900mn$ worth of ODA loan for Ahmedabad Metro Project, and also funded many social & environmental projects in Gujarat.
Notably Japan has been country partner with Vibrant Gujarat from its inception from 2011. Many Taiwanese and South Korean companies have shown keen interest in investing in the state. However, the state is having
Dr. Gupta has also penned down his vast experience in the forms of books and journals and documented the same for further research and implementation for the people in general.
His literary work as an author includes his book titled “Water Development and Poverty Reduction” published by Kluwer Academic Publishers, USA, 2003, and “Water Resources development: Cross-Cutting Issues” published by Middle East Technical University, Ankara, Turkey, 2002.
Other contributions include the special issue of “International Journal of Water Resource Development, by Jaynarayan Vyas, Rajiv Gupta Oxford”, vol. 17, No 1, 2001”, and “Jalsansadhan Vyavasthapan” (Gujarati language) published by Navbharat Sahitya Mandir, Ahmedabad, India, 2004.
“Public Discipline: Thought to Action” and “Jaher Shist” (Gujarati language) also form the part of his literary work.
