The Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC), the State's nodal agency for promotion of industry, has had its wings clipped, with no power to take any decision with regard to allocating land for both new enterprises and for expansion of existing units.

This follows a meeting of the MIDC Board in May, which decided to drop the existing provision that authorised the Chief Executive Officer of the MIDC or a committee headed by him to allot land to applicants who met the laid down criteria. Effectively, now all powers for land allotment vest solely with the Industries Minister, who also officiates as the MIDC Chairman.

“The MIDC is the marketing body to attract industry to the State. Without the authority to take quick decisions and expedite land allocation, it is reduced to an entity that can make a promise, but cannot ensure delivery,” a senior ex-official of the MIDC, who did not wish to be named, said.

Larger land parcels

Earlier on, the regional officers had the authority to a take decisions on allocating up to 5 acres of land. Allotment of larger land parcels was decided by a committee headed by the joint CEO that would meet every week. “All decisions on whether to allot land or refuse it were taken within a week or two at the most if there were some issues that needed to be sorted out,” the official said, adding, “The new amendment amounts to scoring an own goal.”

“The role of the MIDC is to be proactive and help establish a communication channel between industry and the Government,” industrialist Mr Ram Bhogale said. The requirement of a ministerial nod for even a few thousand square feet of land will hamper industrial development substantially, he felt.

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