The state government on Wednesday announced the creation of a separate commissionerate to drive growth in the service sector, calling it the first such initiative in the country.

The decision was cleared at a Cabinet meeting chaired by CM Bhupendra Patel.

Government spokesperson Jitu Vaghani said the new body will function on the lines of the Industries Commissionerate, with a dedicated post of Service Commissioner. "Just as the Industries Commissionerate serves Gujarat's industrial sector, the Service Commissionerate will spearhead the development of service industries," he said.

The move targets fast-growing sectors such as IT, tourism, logistics and allied services. The proposal stems from recommendations of the Gujarat Rajya Institution for Transformation (GRIT), a state think tank set up to align development strategies with the vision of "Viksit Bharat".