BJP slams Maha govt's new industrial policy

"The policy is designed only for the 'Golden Triangle' of Mumbai, Pune and Nashik. The policy will not benefit backward regions like Marathwada, Vidharbha and Khandesh," Leader of the Opposition in Legislative Assembly Eknath Khadse said at a press conference.

"The state government should look beyond Mumbai, Pune and Nashik. Industries should go in Chandrapur, Gadchiroli, Amravati and also in Khandesh region," he said adding that in the last 48 years, industries had not gone in backward regions.

The industrial policy was approved by the cabinet on Wednesday focuses on strengthening small and medium industries and aims at an investment of Rs 5 lakh-crore and employment generation for 20 lakh people.

There was nothing new in the policy, he said adding the government should remove loopholes. "We don't oppose the policy. But the government should remove the loopholes," he said.

The policy envisages 60 per cent use of the land for industrial purpose while 30 per cent for residential and 10 per cent for commercial.

Claiming that only builders and developers would benefit from the new policy, the BJP leader said "the government should make a provision in the policy wherein only after the completion of work on 60 per cent of land for industrial purpose, the industrialists can utilise remaining forty per cent of land."

Khadse also questioned the need to appoint private consultants.

Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council Vinod Tawde alleged the government designed the policy without taking the industrialists into consideration. (More)