Separate Vidarbha would attract Rs1 lakh crore in mining: BJP

Pressing BJP's demand for a separate Vidarbha state, party MLA Devendra Phadanvis claimed the region would attract Rs1 lakh crore investment in the mining sector.

"A separate Vidarbha can attract investment of Rs1 lakh crore, considering the rich mining sector and also become a 'steel hub'," Phadanvis told reporters here today.

Comparing Australian model of employment based on mining industry, Phadanvis said the sector can open five lakh jobs in the backward region.

Citing the irrigation backlog of Rs40,000 crore in Vidarbha, the MLA said it is impossible for Maharashtra Government to fulfil the backlog with the state's irrigation budget being only between Rs five to seven thousand crore.

"About 3,000 MW power would be surplus in separate Vidarbha, which will generate revenue of Rs40,000 crore and would also attract more industries to the region," he said.

Phadanvis rubbished claims that separate Vidarbha would hurt sentiments of Marathi people. "In fact, two Marathi speaking states would have more impact at the Centre," he said.