CII hails Maharashtra's industrial policy

Welcoming the state's industrial policy, chairman of the CII's western regional committee Farhad Forbes said, "by and large the policy seems to be heading in the right direction. But how far it is industry-friendly will be known only when we read it in detail, and how the government goes about implementing the policy".

Speaking to the Business Standard on the sidelines of Maritime Expo, organised by CII, Forbes said, "the state government's policy of exempting the industry in the underdeveloped parts of the state from labour laws is a step in the right direction and we hope that it will also be extended to other parts of the state sooner than later".

If the state adopts a flexible labour policy, the industry will also respond positively and concentrate on creating employment instead of just focusing on growth, topline and bottomline, he added.

Replying to a question, Forbes said, "any incentive to the industry for technological upgradation should be considered as a positive step and this policy will go an extra mile in increasing the competitiveness of the industry in the country and in the state in particular".

The state government's announcement of creating a special purpose vehicle (SPV) to take care of the infrastructural needs of golden quadrangle of Mumbai-Pune-Nashik-Aurngabad is also a welcome move as instead of half a dozen state government agencies responsible for various infrastructure related issues, one agency overlooking all the infrastructural projects will bring much desired speed and co-ordination in the implementation of projects.

However, whether this agency really serves its purpose or becomes yet another government entity will be known only when we see how the government goes about it, he observed.

Speaking about the government's policy of giving easy exit route to sick industrial units, he said, "the move is also a positive one and it will unlock the capital and land in sick and unviable industrial units and improve the overall industrial atmosphere. But again as they say the proof of pudding lies in eating, how far policy becomes successful will be known only after the government frames the rule to implement the policy and starts implementation, he added.