The Hindu Business Line : Underdeveloped areas should be given more focus: Minister

With many multinational companies vying to set up sites in Maharashtra, it is time to look at developing the underdeveloped areas of the State. This was stated here today by Mr Ashok Chavan, State Minister for Industries.

Mr Chavan who inaugurated the POS-IPC, the processing centre of the Korean Steelmaker, POSCO noted that during the past two years that the Government has been in power, 32 memorandum of understanding was signed between national and international players bringing in an investment of Rs 33,000 crore. "Now it is not that much necessary for Maharashtra to prove itself for bringing in the investments to the State. We have clearly proved that we can offer the facilities that are required,'' he said. He noted that the Government was also keen on giving the clearances required for the setting up of sites in the State and was looking at a timeframe of 30 days to clear the same.

Mr Chavan noted that the Government was happy to note the investments pouring into this part of Maharashtra (the Mumbai - Pune belt as also Chakan, Talegaon etc) but would like to see it happen in the other side also, especially in areas such as Vidharba, which required investments. He said the Government was requesting players investing in the State to look at setting up smaller units in the underdeveloped areas of the State.

As an example, he said a company coming in with an investment of Rs 500 crore could look at setting up a smaller unit, may be with a 10 per cent investment in one of the backward areas of the State. He said Videocon would be having a unit in Aurangabad and similarly Ajanta Pharma, in principle, has assured setting up of a smaller unit in one of the areas. He noted that for the development of these areas, packages such as reduced prices, land at concessional rates could be offered. He said it is also looking at strengthening the curriculum of the ITIs and polytechnics to suit the industry requirements.

Commenting about the Talegaon Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation area, he said 650 hectares has been acquired and has already been given out to the various companies. It is looking at acquiring another 600 hectares in Talegaon, he said. He said it would be looking at constructing helipads for the easier access.

Currently, Ranjangaon has the helipad facility and noted that Hinjewadi, the IT park would also be setting up a helipad facility.

Asked about the airport land, which had been earmarked in Chakan, he said depending on the demand, it could be converted to an industrial area.

It may be recalled that there was a proposal for the setting up of an international airport at Chakan. He said the Daimler Chrysler would be setting up its plant in Chakan and has already acquired about100 acres of land.

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