Opposition questions Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde's Davos claims; seeks clarity on investments and outcomes of MoUs

Pic/Chief Minister`s Office

The opposition in Maharashtra has criticized Chief Minister Eknath Shinde over the World Economic Forum in Davos, questioning the tangible outcomes of investments from the Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) signed last year.

Shiv Sena leader Aaditya Thackeray remarked that the MoUs could have been signed in India itself, and there was no need to go to Davos for it.

Earlier, CM Shinde had said the state had inked MoUs worth Rs 3,53,675 crore at World Economic Forum, newswire PTI reported.

"The MoUs signed with industrialists could have been done in Mumbai. There was zero work that took place in Davos," Thackeray said at a press conference in Mumbai.

Thackeray also alleged the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) was asked to report only Rs 20 crore as the expense incurred by the state for Davos and (apportion) the rest to other agencies like the Mumbai Metropolitan Regional Development Authority (MMRDA).

Addressing a news conference, Anil Deshmukh of the Sharad Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party asked ministers to ensure these projects remain in Maharashtra and not go to Gujarat later. The opposition has often accused the Shinde government of losing major projects to the neighbouring BJP-ruled state.

"Last year, investments to the tune of Rs 2.5 lakh crore were signed in Davos. We want to know how many MoUs have materialised or are in operation," Deshmukh asked.

Also read: Maharashtra inked MoUs worth Rs 3.53 lakh crore at World Economic Forum in Davos: CM Eknath Shinde

The former Maharashtra home minister said claims were made by the chief minister last year that 2 lakhs jobs would be created due to these MoUs worth Rs 2.5 lakh crore and sought to know how many employment opportunities were actually created through them.

It has been more than 15 months since these MoUs were inked but those that materialised can be counted on the finger tips, Deshmukh claimed.

Thackeray also sought to know the outcome of the deals signed last year.

He claimed Rs 40 crore was spent last year by the state in 48 hours, but there was no significant outcome. (With inputs from PTI)