“Government of Maharashtra will introduce a new scheme of licensing known as
Mahapraman Patra -, where a single master license is enough for new industries to
begin operation in the state. New industries that have secured this Mahapraman
Patra can start operation without waiting for any other licenses. Government of
Maharashtra has earmarked 30,000-hectare land with ready infrastructure such as
road, water, power etc for new investors. Apart from this, MIDC can make available
industrial sheds on plug and play basis. Our task force is busy negotiating with
investors in USA, UK, Germany, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan to attract
investment. Government of Maharashtra has set up a special committee to introduce
Udyog Mitra. Under Udyog Mitra, every special officer will be dedicated to new
investors for providing end-to-end solutions,” said Shri Subhash Desai Hon’ble
Minister for Industries and Mining, Government of Maharashtra while addressing the
virtual trade dialogue on Creating Opportunities for Trade & Industry in Maharashtra
post-COVID-19. The dialogue was organised by MVIRDC World Trade Center
Mumbai and All India Association of Industries.
Sharing information about other incentives given to new investors, Shri. Desai said,
“Government of Maharashtra will waive all license fees, MIDC charges and other
statutory payments to new investors.”
The minister said Maharashtra has a huge talent pool as more than one million
graduates across diverse streams pass out of all Universities in the state every year.
The state government is setting up an industrial employment bureau to address the
demand for skilled and unskilled workers by industry.
Speaking about the relief measures to distressed enterprises amidst COVID crisis,
the minister said, “The state government will waive fixed demand charge for
electricity consumption by industries for three months. The central government has
also provided various incentives such as relaxation in provident fund contribution
norms for distressed enterprises. Government of Maharashtra will supplement the
relief measures provided by the central government to industry in this regard.”
Giving details about the relaxation of lockdown measures, Shri Desai said, “The
state government allowed 66953 units to resume operation till May 14, 2020 and of
this, 38287 units started production. Of the 38287 units, 36,000 units are MSMEs.
The state government has allowed six export-processing units in Andheri, Mumbai
and the diamond bourse in BKC to resume operation, besides many export-oriented
units, agro industries and information technology firms in other parts of the state.”
Shri Desai assured that the state government is taking proactive steps to provide
relief to the industry and lift lockdown by June 1, 2020. He said lockdown in major
industrial areas of Mumbai, Thane, Pune and Aurangabad will be relaxed as soon as
the rate of COVID infection declines.
Shri. Desai exuded confidence that the COVID crisis brings opportunity for
Maharashtra and India and with all the proactive policy measures, the state will
emerge as an attractive investment destination post COVID crisis.
During the virtual dialogue, many industrialists raised concerns about the hardships
faced during the lockdown and the Hon’ble Minister assured to address these
concerns soon.
Delivering welcome address to the virtual dialogue, Mr. Vijay Kalantri, Vice
Chairman, MVIRDC World Trade Center Mumbai said, “We welcome the Prime
Minister’s announcement of Rs. 20 lakh crore package to MSMEs, agriculture,
migrant labourers and further relief measures to be announced to trade and industry.
Now, we need more relief measures from the state government. States such as
Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh have started relaxing labour laws.
Government of Maharashtra should also simply labour and tax laws provide for
effective implementation of policy measures to industry. Further, the government
needs to relax restrictions on logistics operations in the state.”
Mr. Kalantri called for waiver of taxes and other incentives for hospitality, tourism,
aviation and other services sector that employ large number of workers.
Mr. Kalantri suggested the government to relax lockdown norms in safe areas within
the red zones for speedy revival of economy. He said, “The lockdown be continued
only in containment zones and not in the entire part of the red zones, so that trade
and industry in the safe areas can continue to function normally. There should be a
task force that will monitor the containment of the spread of disease in entire
Maharashtra.”
Mr. Kalantri also suggested various measures to promote new investment in
Maharashtra. He said, “Government of Maharashtra must introduce five dedicated
zones for development of IT, agriculture, textiles, manufacturing and automobile.
These zones should be located in the Delhi Mumbai industrial corridor.”
Ms. Rupa Naik, Senior Director, MVIRDC World Trade Center Mumbai proposed
vote of thanks for the event.
The virtual dialogue was attended by more than 300 representatives from trade &
industry and also the consular corps and trade missions from several countries.