State industries minister Subhash Desai, in an exclusive interview with DNA, clarified that the government will henceforth acquire land only through consent and not coercion, and instead, it is looking at using up its landbank of one lakh hectare scattered across the state.
After being blamed for the death of the 84-year-old farmer, Dharma Patil, who ended his life due to the paltry compensation the government offered to acquire his land for a solar project, the State government seems to be treading softly.
State industries minister Subhash Desai, in an exclusive interview with DNA, clarified that the government will henceforth acquire land only through consent and not coercion, and instead, it is looking at using up its landbank of one lakh hectare scattered across the state.
There has been burgeoning opposition to land acquisition. How is it being tackled?
Land has been the major issue and will continue to be in the future too. We have made it very clear that we will not acquire irrigated lands, lands under cultivation, and lands under horticulture. Plots that cannot be cultivated and that are not under irrigation will be preferred. These riders will help us acquire good parcels of land.
Offering four to five times the price of the land is a good proposition. However, there is a rider this will be done only after consent from the landowner; we won't pursue the matter if the owners don't agree.
There is a landbank of one lakh hectare scattered all over the state that meets all these parameters. And, there are 290 industrial estates run by MIDC.
However, there is a difference between having land and the demand for it. Thus I insist that MIDC expand or extend industrial estates in areas where there is demand so that land does not remain locked or unused.
Shiv Sena is opposed to the Rs 3 lakh crore refinery. What is your take?
We must not impose the refinery project on people. If they are opposed to the project, we must respect their sentiments. My party is totally with the people and I am part of the party.
Investors still complain about the long time taken for approvals and clearances. How are you addressing this issue?
We have created the 'Maitri' platform under which 16 different departments have been brought together. They listen to issues and offer solutions at one go, in one place. The government has taken a number of decisions and reforms, but I admit that it takes time to penetrate to the lowest levels.
I had requested Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to link ease-of-doing business initiatives with the Right of Services Act. Earlier, the time taken for providing electricity connection was 121 days, but it has now been brought down to 21 days. If this does not happen, the person responsible will be punished under the Right to Services Act. Every officer at Mantralya or district or tehsil will be made accountable. The CM has accepted my suggestion and now I am following it up for implementation.
Investors are concerned about high electricity tariff in the state. Will it hamper investments?
After the government's move to offer discounts and allowances, the electricity tariff in Vidarbha and Marathwada matches that of neighbouring states. Therefore, investors should choose sites in Vidarbha and Marathwada instead of Mumbai, Pune and Nashik. Personally, I am pursuing the cause of making tariff affordable in other districts too.
Is the $5 billion investment by Foxconn happening?
Is it the only company or the only investor? In August 2015, Foxconn had promised to invest Rs 30,000 crore. But during the Make In India week, the state received investment proposals worth Rs 8 lakh crore, of which proposals worth Rs 4 lakh crore are already in various stages of implementation. So it it high time we forget Foxconn. If they come, they are welcome.
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 "Subhash Desai")
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