Mah govt signs MoU with paper giant Ballarpur industries

Mumbai, Sep 29 (UNI) Maharashtra government today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with paper manufacturing giant Ballarpur Industries Ltd (BILT) in connection with the brownfield expansion of their paper plant at Bhigwan in Pune district.

Under the MoU, BILT will invest Rs 1,200 crore in two phases to expand capacity of its existing plant in Bhigwan situated in Indapur taluka by 3,00,000 TPA.

Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, BILT Chairman Gautam Thapar were present when the MoU was signed by Industries secretary V K Jairath and BILT MD R R Vederah at Mantralaya here.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Deshmukh said the state has always endeavoured to provide a proactive climate for industrial growth.

He said the new BILT plant at Indapur would generate significant employmkent opportunities for the unskilled and semi-skilled categories of workers. He said the Pune belt of Maharashtra has been able to attract substantial investments in the manufacturing sector.

Mr Thapar said his company's links with Maharashtra go back for than five decades. ''We have a commitment to grow in the paper industry both in terms of size and technology. As the paper consumption in India becomes poised for a quantum jump, in line with increased economic activity, this expansion is an important landmark in fulfilling our commitment on both these counts,'' he added.

Industries Minister Ashok Chavan said the MoU was another example of the state government's proactive steps for attracting investments, through new ventures and projects, generating direct and indirect employment opportunities.

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