To compete with neighbouring states such as Gujarat and Karnataka in attracting investments, the Maharashtra government, on February 14, 2018, relaxed its norms for Integrated Industrial Areas (IIAs). The state cabinet passed a resolution, which said that states such as Gujarat, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, woo industries by providing them more facilities and hence, the government was taking this decision. The cabinet decision comes ahead of the forthcoming ‘Magnetic Maharashtra’ investor summit.
As per the decision, the mandatory condition of having 40 hectares of land for setting up an IIA, has been relaxed to 20 hectares. The land utilisation ratio of industry to residential area, has been revised from 60:40 to 80:20, which means more land would be available for industry, an official statement said.
See also: Maharashtra to convert Navi Mumbai SEZ into industrial area
The cabinet also approved an integrated mega project to promote the ayurveda industry, tourism and education, with an investment over Rs 1,000 crores. Pune-based Centre for Perfect Health has tied up with the Netherlands-based Global Country of World Peace, for technical support for the project. The project, spread over 264 acres, is expected to generate direct and indirect employment for over 5,000 people, official sources said. It will have an initial investment of Rs 500 crores and involve production of ayurvedic medicines, medicinal oils, processing of organic food products, an ayurveda college and an integrated treatment centre among other things, stated the cabinet decision.
The state has also decided to set up 11 special courts for Divyang (disabled persons), senior citizens and neglected communities in 11 cities/towns. Over 11,000 cases related to persons from these categories are pending currently. Presently, Rs 4.78 crores has been sanctioned for this purpose. In another decision, the government permitted women employees in the state service to seek transfer to other revenue departments, on the grounds of ill-health of in-laws.
