The Maharashtra Industry and Ports Minister, Mr Narayan Rane, has said that special incentives and subsidies may be offered to attract investment in Phase-II of Butibori industrial estate near here.
He also said that government was concerned about the slow pace of work and lukewarm response of investors to the Mihan-SEZ project here. “Special steps would be announced by the state to address this issue soon,” Mr Rane said, during a recent visit here.
He said Butibori industrial estate had been given the five-star status, yet it failed to attract big investors in a large number. However, he said, in the second phase of the industrial estate, special measures would be taken to attract investors.
He conceded that more than incentives, Vidarbha needed a conducive industrial atmosphere, better work culture and entrepreneurship.
“Foreign investors flock to Mumbai-Pune industrial belt even when no incentives are offered,” said Mr Rane.
He said he was touring the State to learn the views of industrialists and organisations for the purpose of drafting of the new industrial policy. The new policy may have a bail-out package for loss-making medium and small scale industrial units in MIDCs, he said.
A new maritime policy for the State was in the offing, aiming at development of coastal areas in the State, he said. About the fear that there would be a surfeit of power projects in Vidarbha as there are several proposals, he said, “There is no need to panic. All proposals may not materialise. We will assess the need for power and only those required in a region will be permitted.”
He dismissed the reports that over 50 private power plants were coming to Vidarbha.