Will transform Maharashtra into a 'super industrial state': CM Devendra Fadnavis

MUMBAI: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis today said he will transform the state into a "super industrial state" within next few years, while reiterating government's focus to improve lives of distressed farmers.

"The country is moving ahead on the path of development and Maharashtra will play an important role in the process. In the last few years, climatic conditions that have prevailed in the state have caused distress among farmers. But I wish to tell every farmer that we stand strongly with them in their time of adversity," he said.

The Chief Minister was speaking after unfurling the tricolour at the Mantralaya here on the occasion of 69th Independence Day.

Fadnavis said the state government's flagship water conservation and Integrated water management scheme (Jalyukt Shivar Abhiyan) has already benefited around 6,000 villages in Maharashtra and assured that the scheme will cover 20,000 villages within the next five years.

"Farmers want electricity. I assure that every farmer will have electricity by 2016," he said.

Fadnavis said the government is providing rice at Rs 3 (per kg) and wheat for Rs 2 to around 60 lakh farmers in eight and six districts of drought-hit Marathwada and Vidarbha region, respectively.

Listing out his government's achievements, Fadnavis said he has tried to bring transparency in the system through Right to Services Act and 'Aaple Sarkar' (state government's website and app to address public grievances while ensuring participative governance).

Fadnavis said he has been able to attract Rs 60,000 crore of investments in his term as the chief minister.

"This investment will ensure that around 1 lakh youth will get employment. But, we will not stop here. We will continue to attract more and more companies until there is an industrial revolution.

"Through skill development, we will ensure that the youth get work opportunities. We will convert the state into a super industrial state within next few years," Fadnavis said.