GAIL never submitted complete investment plan to Maharashtra govt: Uday Samant

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 plantAddressing allegations from opposition leaders regarding GAILs departure from Maharashtra Samant said the state government cannot be held responsible for GAILs decision to invest in Madhya PradeshThe 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 50000 crore investmentThe opposition parties including Shiv Sena UBT had alleged that policy paralysis in the Shiv SenaBJPNCP government was the main reason behind the state losing a big investmentGAIL never submitted a complete proposal before the state government It has asked for land in Ratnagiri district but the MIDC area didnt 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 saidHe 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 projectsThe company did not submit its complete proposal hence the government should not be held responsible for it GAILs decision to invest in MP the minister saidHe said the state government has drawn up a scheme for companies already present in Maharashtra facilitating their expansion and further investmentUday Samant highlighted the state governments initiatives for local and districtlevel 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 saidThese investments total Rs 2652 crore Additionally significant overall investments amounting to Rs 96681 crores have been made creating 231330 jobs across Maharashtrardquo Samant saidUday Samant said that in the last two years this scheme has created 31000 entrepreneurs and 90000 jobs At the district level it has generated 2 lakh jobs He urged the opposition to consider these achievements and avoid politicising the issueUday 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