GAIL never submitted complete investment plan to Maharashtra govt, says Uday Samant

Uday Samant. File Pic

Amid criticism by Opposition over Maharashtra losing big projects to other states, Industries Minister Uday Samant on Tuesday claimed GAIL never submitted a complete proposal about setting up a plant.

Addressing allegations from opposition leaders regarding GAIL's departure from Maharashtra, Samant said the state government cannot be held responsible for GAIL's decision (to invest in Madhya Pradesh).

The Gas Authority of India (GAIL) had earlier scouted land in Maharashtra but later announced setting up a plant in a petrochemical unit with a Rs 50,000 crore investment.

The opposition parties, including Shiv Sena (UBT), had alleged that "policy paralysis" in the Shiv Sena-BJP-NCP government was the main reason behind the state losing a big investment.

"GAIL never submitted a complete proposal before the state government. It has asked for land in Ratnagiri district, but the MIDC area didn't have sufficient land. The land was later made available. When availability was confirmed, GAIL officials cited previous protests and political pressure as reasons for not pursuing the refinery proposal further," Samant said.

He said Industries Department officials asked the company whether it would be setting up a refinery or not because the region had earlier faced strong opposition to other mega projects.

"The company did not submit its complete proposal, hence the government should not be held responsible for it (GAIL's decision to invest in MP)," the minister said.

He said the state government has drawn up a scheme for companies already present in Maharashtra, facilitating their expansion and further investment.

Uday Samant highlighted the state government's initiatives for local and district-level company expansion and investment. "Key investments include, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar: Rs 568 crore; Nashik: Rs 975 crore; Amravati: Rs 229 crore; Nagpur: Rs 159 crore; Pune: Rs 305 crore and Konkan: Rs 416 crore," he said.

"These investments total Rs 2,652 crore. Additionally, significant overall investments amounting to Rs 96,681 crores have been made, creating 2,31,330 jobs across Maharashtra," Samant said.

Uday Samant said that in the last two years, this scheme has created 31,000 entrepreneurs and 90,000 jobs. At the district level, it has generated 2 lakh jobs. He urged the opposition to consider these achievements and avoid politicising the issue.

Uday Samant further said that Magnetic Maharashtra, a major investment program scheduled for August or September, is expected to bring significant investments and create numerous employment opportunities in the state.