DEPUTY Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis hit back at the opposition’s criticism of Maharashtra’s industrial growth and provided concrete statistics to demonstrate the state’s dominance in attracting investment. Over the past two and a half years, Maharashtra has maintained its position as the top state in India for both foreign direct investment (FDI) and domestic investment, Fadnavis said.

 

 

 

He also outlined the key industries that have set up shop in the state during this period and detailed the investments they’ve brought in and the jobs they will create. Fadnavis addressed the opposition’s claims that industries were leaving Maharashtra for other states and pointed out that while states like Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Gujarat were also trying for investment, Maharashtra remained the preferred destination. He stressed that industries choose locations where the business environment is conducive, and Maharashtra continues to be an attractive proposition due to the government’s pro-business policies and incentives. Responding directly to accusations made by Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition in theLok Sabha, Fadnavis dismissedclaims that industries had fledthe state.

 

“It is absolutely absurdto suggest that industries have moved to Gujarat and that investments worth Rs 7 lakh crore have shifted there,” Fadnavis said. “This is yet another fake narrative being spun by the Maha Vikas Aghadi.” Fadnavis pointed out that Gujarat ranks sixth or seventh in terms of FDI, while Maharashtra remains number one in the country. Fadnavis further clarified that while some investments are still at various stages of development, the funds are secure and will materialise. He highlighted that Maharashtra is leading the country in the number of infrastructure service projects. For instance, the state has received 52% of the total Rs 7,000 crore in foreign investments coming into India .

 

 

■ “Rahul Gandhi claims that five major projects have left Maharashtra, but he only mentioned three. Can you explain why you didn’t mention the fact that Tata AirBus and Vedanta both decided to move their projects to Gujarat dur- ing the Maha Vikas Aghadi government?”, questioned Devendra Fadnavis

 

■ Fadnavis also asked,“Toyota had originally planned to set up a project in Karnataka, but later cancelled it. They have now announced that they will establish the project in Maharashtra. Why was there no comment on that?”

 

■ “You allege that the iPhone manufacturing project, which would have created 75,000 jobs, moved out of Maharashtra. But if you check the facts, even assuming an average salary of Rs 40,000 per person, the company would have had to pay Rs 3,500 crore annually. Where did you come up with the fig- ure of 75,000 jobs?”, he asked Gandhi.