Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday, 17 July directed the state Industry Department to formulate comprehensive, investment-friendly policies with a sharp focus on high-employment-generating sectors, aiming to convert incoming investment commitments into operational industries on the ground. The directive was issued at a high-level review meeting held at his official residence, Varsha, in Mumbai.

Key Directives from the Review Meeting

Fadnavis instructed officials to identify high-potential sectors and map specific Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) segments based on the actual requirements of modern investors and entrepreneurs. A comprehensive statewide survey of MSMEs was also ordered, covering current operational status, existing employment levels, production output, and future capacity.

The Chief Minister called for expanding production capacities and employment potential within identified sectors, and for introducing advanced technologies to modernise small-scale industries. Industry Minister Uday Samant was present at the meeting.

Ease of Doing Business and Red Tape Reduction

To eliminate administrative bottlenecks, Fadnavis made the use of the MAITRI Portal strictly mandatory for all industrial clearances. He stressed that services on the portal must maintain premium standards and include a rapid-response mechanism for investor grievances.

He also directed the Industry Department to establish a dedicated investor call centre, with all calls to be recorded and analysed using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to identify recurring administrative roadblocks and enable swift policy corrections. The Chief Minister emphasised that policy execution must remain collaborative and supportive of businesses at every level.

Sector-Specific Policy Focus Areas

Fadnavis highlighted several areas requiring immediate policy attention. He instructed officials to simplify Ease of Doing Business norms to facilitate the construction of mega-convention centres across Maharashtra's major cities. For chemical parks, he directed the integration of dedicated, state-of-the-art facilities within the upcoming Chemical Policy to streamline operations and generate jobs. A comprehensive policy to promote sustainable development and circular economic models was also sought.

On land allocation, the Chief Minister directed the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) to adopt a feasibility-based methodology when allotting industrial land, to prevent underutilisation of available plots.

Policies Reviewed and Proposed

The meeting reviewed several recently finalised policies, including the Industrial Investment and Services Policy 2025, Global Capability Centre (GCC) Policy 2025, AVGC-XR Policy 2025, Gems and Jewellery Policy 2025, Bamboo Industry Policy 2025, and the Bio-Plastic Policy 2026.

The Industry Department also proposed a fresh set of policies spanning leather, non-leather, footwear, apparel and accessories, garments, media and entertainment, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology, defence, nuclear and aerospace, electronics and semiconductors, MSMEs, chemicals, and biofuels. Together, these represent one of the broadest simultaneous policy drafting exercises the department has undertaken in recent years.

What Comes Next

Maharashtra continues to lead the country in attracting both foreign and domestic investment, according to official figures. Fadnavis underscored that efficient execution of existing industrial policies, alongside the new measures, would lay the groundwork for sustained economic growth across the state. Industry experts and successful entrepreneurs are to be consulted during the policy drafting process, as per the Chief Minister's instructions.