Task force for Maharashtra to boost biz-govt ties

To keep the pace of the state’s industrial development on a par with its neighbours, Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis announced the formation of a task force in partnership with industrial bodies.

To keep the pace of the state’s industrial development on a par with its neighbours, Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis announced the formation of a task force in partnership with industrial bodies.

The task force is expected to play a key role in improving the coordination between the government and industries. In a conclave Make in Maharashtra: Focus Vidarbha, organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in Nagpur on Sunday, the CM promised the government will extend full support to the industries.

Fadnavis also emphasised investment in Vidarbha and made an appeal to the investors to move to the region for better development of the state. “Five years from now, land will not be available for industrial investment in Vidarbha. Investors should now focus on the region, as it enjoys unique geographical position of being in the heart of the country. Our government will support investors,” he said.

The CII, in its meeting with the government, had proposed the task force with the intention of easing hurdles while setting up new industrial units, and improving coordination.

The CM said his government had simplified the process of obtaining additional FSI for industry, lowered the levies on excessive power and brought the power rates in Mihan at a competitive level. “It is true that any industrial unit needs 76 permissions, which take around two years. My government has reduced the number of permissions to 35, and it will be further brought down to 25,” he said.

The representatives from the industrial sector assured Fadnavis sustained industrial growth in the state. Sanjay Kirloskar, deputy chairman of CII, said the conclave will help investors to not only explore the host of opportunities in Vidarbha, but also to inspire them to invest in the region.