It was a tough time for the Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan and Industries Minister Narayan Rane to explain that the Maharashtra's new industrial policy was not an housing policy aimed to benefit industrialists and builders and developers. Instead, both Chavan and Rane said the policy envisages development of integrated industrial area (IIA) wherein the promoters of now de-notified special economic zones (SEZs) would have to put 60%, up from 50% in the SEZ policy, for the industrial use and thereafter 30% for residential and 10% for commercial purpose. The duo clarified that no public lands are covered under the IIA policy.
Chavan said of the 29,000 hectare about 16,000 hectare land has been acquired by the private persons through negotiations with villagers and farmers for 124 SEZs which stand denotified. The balance 13,000 hectare is being acquired by private sector by roping in state-run Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) and City and Industrial development Corporation (CIDCO). But this is part of the policy and the lone proposal. Chavan said the government proposes to attract investment of Rs 5 lakh crore and job creation for 2 million persons. It focuses on promotion of micro, small and medium scale enterprises along with mega and projects.
Chief Minister said a new category of projects titled ultra-mega industrial projects has been proposed to receive slew of incentives. The promoter should invest Rs 1,500 crore and create jobs for 3,000 persons.
"The SEZ promoters having private land in possession will have to approach the state government within six months since the notification of new industrial policy to convert the land into IIA. The government will give its approval but the private land owner will have to strictly put in use 60% of the total land for industrial use wherein he will have to create necessary infrastructure, do plotting and only after that he will be entitled to use the balance 30% for residential and 10% for commercial use," Chavan informed.
He justified the government's move saying that the new industrial policy was a "pathbreaking" one and during the present conditions when land acquisition faces major hurdles a large parcel of already acquired land can be put for industrial use. He added such a policy was quite timely to face competition from states especially in the western region.
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In case of lands acquired by MIDC under the MID Act for the private sector under a joint venture route, the JV board would have to take a call whether to pursue SEZ or convert the land into IIA. Similarly, lands under the SEZs located on CIDCO and jointly promoted by CIDCO, under de-notification of such SEZs, would be eligible for development as IIA. This would do after the approval of the state urban development department.
According to Chavan, there is a third category wherein land has been acquired under PPP model which are not currently considered for IIA. Besides, lands opted by lesee from MIDC would also not be covered.
Rane clarified that within MIDC industrial estates the present ratio of 80:20 for industrial and residential remains unchanged.
