Develop infrastructure to attract investment: Jayant Patil

Kolhapur, Oct 2 (UNI) Maharashtra's Finance Minister Jayant Patil today underlined the paramount importance of infrastructure development with a view to attracting investments in the state.

He was was speaking at the inauguration function of Indo Count Industry's Rs 220 crore textile plant at MIDC here.

''The State Government has decided to give priority to infrastructure development across the state, including port development, as in the present days of cut-throat competition which exists in the world market, workers productivity and quality maintenance are indispensable. Provision of suitable infrastructure shall be the biggest facilitator in maximising workers productivity and quality maintenance,'' he noted.

Mr Patil expressed his displeasure over the Union Government's policy of providing concessions in certain states in a bid to attract investors there. He maintained that the Centre should adopt an egalitarian approach towards all states.

''On one hand, the Centre is pressing for proper implementation of the Value Added Tax (VAT), and on the other hand it has provided concessions in excise and income tax for ten years to attract mega project investments in states like Himachal Pradesh. This method is nothing, but doing unjustice to the states like Maharashtra,'' he lamented.

All necessary infrastracture will be made available by the State Government, in a bid to attract more and more investments in the state, he said.

Maharashtra Minister of State for Dairy Development and School Education Hasan Mushrif and former Maharashtra Minister Digvijay Khanvilkar also spoke on the occasion.

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