5 days ago
As MIDC runs into losses, Opposition alleges land racket; chairman orders special meeting
The Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) reported a deficit of Rs 1,416.82 crore in the fiscal 2024-25 due to land acquisition, allotment of lands at subsidised rates and payments to local bodies.
Amid Opposition allegations over government forcing MIDC to acquire lands for industries at higher rates, Legislative Council chairman Ram Shinde ordered a meeting in his chamber in the next few weeks.
Nationalist Congress Party (SP) MLC Shashikant Shinde on Monday raised a question in the legislative council, seeking reasons for the deficit in MIDC's budget for the year 2024-25 and the steps taken in the next fiscal to counter it.
'The MIDC never had a deficit. It was always in profit. This is nothing but mismanagement of its resources. At a time when the government claims that it has attracted huge industrial investments, what are the reasons for the deficit,' he asked.
Minister of State for Industries, Indraneel Naik said, 'The MIDC has been acquiring land and due to the act, compensation has gone up by almost 4 to 5 times. In addition, we offer lands at subsidised rates to industries in Vidarbha and Marathwada. Water royalty and other taxes have to be paid to local bodies, increasing the expenses. However, we have signed MoUs worth Rs 15 lakh crore from world Economic Forum and will soon have surplus.'
The Opposition, however, countered Naik saying there has been a racket going on within the MIDC. Leader of Opposition Ambadas Danve said, 'There are multiple examples where land has been acquired and been lying vacant for years without use. A racket of individuals is being run which forces the MIDC to buy land at higher prices and earns profit through it. This needs to be investigated.'
Shashikant Shinde, too, joined Danve saying a detailed discussion is required on the topic and asked to not conclude the discussion on the starred question.
