Maha govt mulling electronics policy

With a view to attract investments from electronics manufacturers in Maharashtra, the state government is mulling formulation of a special policy for the industry.
"We have initiated various policies including industrial, textile, Information Technology (IT), among others. Now we want to attract investments from the electronics industry and for this we are formulating a policy whereby electronics clusters can be set up," state Principal Secretary-Industry Apurva Chandra said.
The government has appointed an agency to identify two locations where such clusters can come up, he told reporters on the sidelines of an event here today. .
"We will reserve space in MIDC areas for setting up electronics clusters. Currently, we don't have such clusters. Since Pune and Aurangabad are emerging IT hubs, clusters can be developed in these regions," he said.

The policy will spell out proposals like incentives, interest subvention, setting up research and development centres, skill development, among others, Chandra said.
"We have already prepared a draft policy and are currently going through the process of approvals. We are also discussing it with the industry players," he said adding: "We will finalise it once the new government is formed."

The government will also seek funding from the Centre for setting up such clusters, he said.
He said there is a scheme of the Central government which extends Rs 50 crore for such clusters that could be used for creating the necessary infrastructure to encourage the industry to invest here.

"...There is no point in reserving land without providing any facility," Chandra said.