Target: 2m jobs by 2010

By proposing several incentives for the industrial and services sectors, the state government aims to generate 20 lakh jobs in Maharashtra by 2010 with targeted growth rate for both sectors.

In a draft policy announced on Wednesday, the government has proposed infrastructural facilities and financial and other incentives to attract investments in the industrial and services sectors. “By this, we are particularly targeting on generating 20 lakh jobs in the state by 2010. The targeted rate of growth is 10 per cent for the industrial and 12 per cent for the services sector in the next four years,” said Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh.

The new policy also envisages providing infrastructure facilities like electricity, roads, railway, airports and ports for industrial projects coming in the states. The Golden Triangle formed by Mumbai, Pune and Nashik will now be called the Goldren Quadrangle with the inclusion of another city, Aurangabad. The Quadrangle will also be offered more facilities.

“A Special Purpose Vehicle (company) will be formed to facilitate the development of the quadrangle,” Deshmukh said. Services will be given a boost by developing information technology, retail, tourism and entertainment facilities, according the the policy. Meanwhile as part of the new tourism policy, the government plans to turn Mumbai’s shores into a day-and-night tourist destination.

The government has agreed to provide special incentives to encourage construction of five star, three star and two star hotels in Mumbai.