Journalism of Courage
Over the last nine years, 75 per cent of the memorandums of understanding (MoU)s signed in Pune for setting up mega projects have resulted in actual investment and units starting commercial production. Data from the Directorate of Industries show that of the 60 MoUs which were signed, 45 units have started commercial activities, resulting in an investment of about Rs 44,725 crore in the district.
As per Department of Industries, mega projects involve more than Rs 500 crore and provide employment to over 1,000 people.
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The total number of jobs to be generated from the 60 proposed mega projects was 77,928, of which 64,958 jobs have been generated.
Sadashiv Survase, joint director (industries), said that of the 15 remaining mega projects, 12 are yet to start commercial production due to internal issues related to the company. While one project has been closed due to bankruptcy of the company, two have dropped out of investing in the state.
“One of the main reasons for actual realisation of investments from proposed MoUs is the quality of skilled and unskilled manpower that the district offers. Although the manpower comes at a price, the output has better quality,” he said.
As compared to Pune, its neighbouring districts of Satara, Sangli, Kolhapur and Solapur are yet to see similar levels of realisation of investments from proposed MoUs. Of the 32 MoUs signed for setting up mega projects in Satara, only 19 have commenced commercial production. One has shifted to Pune and 12 are yet to start operations. Of the Rs 11,001 crore of total investment proposed in the MoUs, Rs 6,114 crore have been realised, providing employment to 9,522 people.
The total number of jobs that was to be generated in Satara from mega projects was 15,531.
In Sangli, four MoUs were signed for setting up as many mega projects, of which only two have come up. Again, two of the proposed mega projects have shifted to Pune.
Of the 22 MoUs signed in Kolhapur, 16 units have commenced commercial production. Of the Rs 8,484 crore proposed investment, Rs 2,543 crore has been realised, providing employment to 16,119 people.
In Solapur, MoUs were signed for setting up seven mega projects, of which three have started commercial production. Solapur has seen realisation of Rs 495 crore of investment from the Rs 2,237 crore proposed in the MoUs.
