Maharashtra most favoured industrial destination: Governor

Maharashtra Governor Mohammed Fazal on Monday said the state continues to retain its position as the premier industrial destination in India with the period between January and October 2003 witnessing 1,100 proposals from investors with a cumulative value of Rs 4,400 crore.

Addressing the opening day of the interim budget session of the Maharashtra legislative assembly, Fazal said, "The state has also received foreign direct investment proposals from more than 250 investors involving an investment of Rs 600 crore during the current year."

Fazal said the state government had announced a comprehensive package of relief to revive the 9.25 lakh powerlooms that engage about 18 lakh powerloom owners and workers.

He also lauded agriculturists in the state for making it the first state of the Indian Union to cover the expenditure incurred on irrigation management through the recovery of water charges.

"The reforms taken up in the irrigation sector with the active participation of water users has resulted in a record collection of water tax of Rs 377 crore in 2002-03 to cover 100 per cent expenditure on maintenance and repairs.

As a result of the guarantees provided by my government to the sugar sector, crucial for the economy of Maharashtra, the factories could crush 60 lakh metric tonnes of sugarcane, benefiting 4.20 lakh farmers and generating Rs 336 crore as income for them.

The state has also decided to give financial assistance to the co-operative sugar factories at the rate of Rs 1,000 per metric tonne during the year 2002-2003.

"This has helped the sugar factories meet the interest liability and godown charges," the governor said.

Fazal said the government intended to set up an additional 500 MW capacity through two 250 MW units at Parli and Paras.

"A drive undertaken by the Maharashtra State Electricity Board for reducing transmission and distribution losses, increasing collection efficiency and improving the quality of service.

"Transmission and distribution losses have come down by three per cent," he said.

Terming the drought situation in 71 talukas in 11 districts of the state as unprecedented, the governor informed the state legislature that he had recommended more financial aid from the Centre to mitigate the difficulties of the people.

"My government has spent Rs 1,289 crore on drought relief measures so far. It has sought a Central assistance of Rs 1,712 crore and 10 lakh metric tonnes of foodgrains.

"The Union government has so far sanctioned Rs 77 crore and four lakh metric tonnes of foodgrains for drought relief. I have toured the drought-affected areas and seen its severity myself," Fazal said.