Maha CM orders job‑focused industrial policies, MSME survey
Mumbai, July 17
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday directed the state Industry Department to draft comprehensive, investment‑friendly policies focused heavily on high‑employment‑generating sectors to seamlessly translate these investments into active, on‑the‑ground industries.
This comes as Maharashtra continues to lead the nation in attracting foreign and domestic investments.
The Chief Minister also instructed officials to conduct an in‑depth survey of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to establish a world‑class industrial ecosystem in the state.
Speaking at a high‑level review meeting of the Industry Department held at his official residence, Varsha, CM Fadnavis emphasised the importance of collaborative planning. Industry Minister Uday Samant was also in attendance.
He said that while drafting growth policies for Maharashtra's industrial sector, officials must consult industry experts and successful entrepreneurs. The goal, he added, should be to eliminate existing operational bottlenecks. Efficient execution of current industrial policies, he noted, would pave the way for a highly prosperous Maharashtra.
He further asked the Industry Department to identify high‑potential sectors, map and target specific MSME sectors based on the actual needs of modern investors and entrepreneurs, expand production capacities and employment potential of these identified sectors, introduce cutting‑edge technologies to modernise small‑scale industries, and launch a comprehensive survey tracking the current operational status, existing employment, production output, and future capacity of all MSMEs in the state.
The Chief Minister highlighted several key areas requiring immediate policy focus. In Media & Arena, he instructed officials to simplify the 'Ease of Doing Business' norms to facilitate the construction of mega‑convention centres across Maharashtra's major cities.
In the case of Chemical Parks, he asked officials to integrate dedicated, state‑of‑the‑art facilities within the upcoming Chemical Policy to streamline operations and create jobs.
He further instructed the Industry Department to draft a comprehensive policy to promote sustainable development and circular economic models.
Administrative machinery must ensure that the practical execution of these policies remains collaborative and supportive of businesses, he added. To eliminate red tape, CM Fadnavis made the use of the MAITRI Portal strictly mandatory for all industrial clearances.
The services provided through the MAITRI Portal must maintain premium standards and provide a rapid response mechanism for investor grievances.
He further asked the Industry Department to set up a dedicated call centre for investors. All calls should be recorded and analysed using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to identify recurring administrative roadblocks, enabling swift policy rectifications.
Further, the Chief Minister said that the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) must adopt a highly logical, feasibility‑based methodology when allocating industrial land to prevent underutilisation.
The meeting reviewed several recently finalised policies alongside those currently in the pipeline. These include the Industrial Investment and Services Policy 2025, Global Capability Centre (GCC) Policy 2025, Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming and Comics - Extended Reality (AVGC‑XR) Policy 2025, Gems and Jewellery Policy 2025, Bamboo Industry Policy 2025, and the Bio‑Plastic Policy 2026.
Additionally, the Industry Department during the meeting also proposed some policies including Leather, Non‑Leather, Footwear, Apparel and Accessories Policy, Garment and Apparel Policy, Media, Entertainment and Arena Policy, Pharmaceutical, Biotechnology and Medical Devices Policy, Defence, Nuclear and Aerospace Policy, Electronics, Semiconductors, Fab and Display Policy, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Policy, Chemical Industry Policy and Biofuel Policy.
— IANS
Reader Comments
The idea of using AI for grievance tracking is interesting, but I hope the human element isn't lost. Red tape in Maharashtra is legendary—if the MAITRI Portal really works, it would be a game-changer for us small business owners. Let's see how systematic the execution is.
Good to see policy after policy being drafted, but I wish they'd prioritize the ones that actually need immediate attention, like MSME revival. Many small units have shut down post-COVID. A dedicated call centre for investors is nice, but what about existing businesses struggling with compliance?
Chemical parks, bamboo industry, AVGC-XR—they're covering all bases. But I hope the 'ease of doing business' isn't just for big corporates. The MSME sector needs simpler norms too, not just mega-convention centres. Accha hai ki CM personally reviewing this! 👏
The focus on circular economy and bio-plastic policy is forward-thinking—exactly what we need for sustainable development. Though I wonder if the bureaucracy in Mumbai will really let these policies trickle down to districts like Nagpur or Aurangabad. Ground reality matters more than Varsha meeting minutes.
As someone working in the pharma sector, I'm glad to see a dedicated Pharmaceutical and Medical Devices Policy in the pipeline. Our state has immense potential in generic drugs and biotech. But the real test will be how quickly these policies get implemented—not just drafted! 🙏
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.