CM SEEKS REPORT WITHIN 15 DAYS
IT policy for development of rural areas on cards ………Sanjeev Shivadekar I TNN
Mumbai: In a move aimed at striking a balance between the development in urban and rural areas of Maharashtra, the state government is contemplating a policy that makes it mandatory for IT companies, which want to set up their parks in the state, to invest 25% of the total project cost in rural areas.
A brain child of chief minister Ashok Chavan, the policy is aimed at developing the infrastructure in rural Maharashtra. The idea was mooted at a meeting held in Mantralaya. Chavan asked the principal secretary (Industries) Aziz Khan to look into the proposal and submit a feasibility report within 15 days. He is keen on it and if the proposal wins favour among IT entrepreneurs, it could be tabled in the cabinet meeting for final approval, said a senior official.
However, if implemented, this policy would only be mandatory for companies that take government exemptions, the official added. As the government gives these IT companies a lot of concessions, they could in turn spend at least 25% of their project cost in developing infrastructure in the rural areas of the state, he said.
They can construct schools, colleges or even other industrial units. This will not only help the state to develop these areas, but will also put less burden on Maharashtras finances, added the official.
Confirming the meeting, Khan said, I did discuss a few things about the new IT policy which would soon be ready with the chief minister.
The state gives IT companies various concessions when they set up business. For instance, octroi duty is waived off on the items brought into the state by these companies and they are offered double the normal FSI for the construction of their units.