Maharashtra has highest FDI share of 18% at Rs 10.21 lakh crore

The state has 100% power availability. In 5 years, distribution transformers have risen 271,766 while sub-stations are up at 2,689 from 1,800 in 2008-09

The Maharashtra government, in the run-up to the Lok Sabha elections, listed a slew of initiatives and achievements in agriculture, industry, infrastructure, e-governance and social sectors during its five-year rule.

Amid slogan shouting by the opposition, Governor K Sankaranarayanan, in his address to the joint session of the legislature on the first day of the four-day Budget session, said Maharashtra continued to be the favoured destination for most of the foreign direct investment. The state has the highest share of 18 per cent at Rs 10,21,633 crore in the total investments involved in industrial proposals filed to the government.

The government, under its mega project policy, has approved 403 projects with an investment of Rs 3,21,091 crore and 357,000 expected jobs. Of the 403 projects, 114 have gone into production.

The state has achieved 100 per cent power availability against its demand. In five years, distribution transformers have increased 271,766 while the sub-stations have risen to 2,689 from 1,800 in 2008-09. Electricity consumers have surged to 21.7 million from 15.6 million. More, four million agricultural pump connections have been provided during the period.

Money lenders barred from charging high rates
After a spate of farmer suicides, specially in Vidarbha, largely due to harassment by money lenders, the Maharashtra government on Monday tabled the Maharashtra Money Lending (Regulation) Bill to regulate money-lending transactions.

According to it, lenders would be prohibited from providing loans at exorbitant rates. The state government would fix the maximum rates.