Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis early this week had indicated that violence may adversely impact investment flow and Maharashtra's favoured investment destination status.
The violence during the statewide Maratha protest on Thursday and on July 24 in Aurangabad industrial area has dented investor confidence. Investors have asserted that this has posed a serious threat to proposed investments worth Rs 1 lakh crore in Aurangabad Industrial City (AURIC).
Auric is a part of the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor and is planned on 10,000 acres of land. It is here that the government expects domestic and foreign investments in engineering, automobile, steel and food processing.
Investors gathered on Friday under the aegis of Chamber of Marathwada Industries & Agriculture (CMIA), Confederation of Indian Industry’s Aurangabad chapter, Marathwada Association of Small Scale Industries & Agriculture (MASSIA) and Laghu Udyog Bharati (LUB) representing over 4,500 units said the investment worth Rs 60,000 crore — which has already gone into building up units since 1978 — was also in serious jeopardy.
Industry bodies have estimated a loss of Rs 30 crore following severe damage to 60 units from Waluj industrial estate alone during Thursdsay’s bandh organised by various groups demanding reservation for Maratha. They hinted that some of the small industrial units and MNCs have threatened to down shutters and migrate to other states if the agitators continue to ruthlessly target industries.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis early this week had indicated that violence may adversely impact investment flow and Maharashtra's favoured investment destination status.
CMIA president Ram Bhogle said, “Over 300 industry representatives at today’s meeting were unanimous that yesterday’s violence was pre planned targeting industries. Some of the promoters of industrial units wonder when and if at all they should reopen their establishments or seek business opportunities in safer areas elsewhere. Industry with district and police authorities will work together to foil such attempts in future by beefing up security in industrial estates.”
MASSIA president Kishor Rathi demanded the Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis immediately visit the area and instill confidence among investors. “The way the agitators were able to block roads has made the industry fearful. Investors will think twice before making fresh investments.”
LUB president Ravindra Vaidya said his association may approach the Aurangabad bench of the Bombay High Court demanding stern action against those responsible for Thursday’s violence. “'Industry units will examine their CCTV footages and submit them for further action by police. Workers from such units will lose their jobs if they found in violence,” he said.
CII Aurangabad chapter president Mohini Kelkar demanded that the government should appoint a special administrator so that conducive atmosphere is maintained for investors.
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