The Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Devendra Fadnavis, on Thursday said the condition of obtaining non-agricultural (NA) permission for certain extents of land required for micro and small industries and food processing units will be removed. The CM chaired a policy reform meeting, where the decision was made, and he also gave directions to start taking action on the proposal, stating that this step would save crucial time for entrepreneurs and enable them to start industries without delay.
Highlighting the importance of policy-making, Fadnavis said governance should frame policies keeping in mind social welfare and future challenges.
"The aim must be to make life easier for common citizens and ensure balanced development. Policies should focus on neglected sectors that have the potential to push Maharashtra ahead of other states," he said.
The CM further suggested that large industrial estates should develop 'industrial townships' equipped with complete civic amenities. These would provide residential facilities near workplaces, thereby improving the productivity of workers, he noted.
Fadnavis also emphasized the need for a 'palliative care policy' to support patients recovering from critical diseases like cancer, particularly in advanced stages.
"A robust mechanism must be built to ensure availability and use of medicines that reduce symptoms and pain," he said.
Talking about the power requirement, he said certain industries may need to set up captive power generation units, which would help in creating competitive electricity tariffs and benefit consumers as well. He also called for regular training programmes to enhance workers' skills, and suggested introducing a scholarship scheme for workers on the lines of existing government initiatives.
The CM directed that an online portal with an automated payment system be created for the clearance of government dues to micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), so that service providers can track the status of their payments.
Referring to the 50 per cent import duty imposed by the US on Indian goods, Fadnavis said new concepts must be implemented to compensate for the losses in exports from Maharashtra.
He asked officials to explore alternative markets and boost the teakwood plantation to meet the domestic demand.
Policies related to active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) manufacturing, palliative care, MSME payment systems, biogas, onion mega bank, NA permission process, and the impact of US import duties were also discussed during the meeting, the CM Office said in its statement.
Govt will work to develop bamboo as a sustainable crop: CM
The chief minister, on Thursday, also affirmed that his government will work to develop bamboo as a sustainable crop. Wasteland mapping will be done for the bamboo plantation, he said, adding the initiative has begun in Nagpur.
Addressing a global bamboo conference here, the CM said there was a need to mitigate the impact of climate change and reduce greenhouse gases.
"There is need to create integrated markets for bamboo, which has given given grass status by the Central government. There is immense potential for bamboo as it has been freed from license raj. We have to convert into livelihood opportunities. We have to create an eco system for an integrated bamboo market," he said.
The state government is open to procuring products made from bamboo and in Gadchiroli, five crore plants, including bamboo, will be planted to improve bio diversity with the regards to a mega steel city coming up there, the CM said.
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