Maharashtra now preferred destination for foreign investors: CM Shinde

EKNATH Shinde, chief minister of Maharashtra, has said that the western Indian state has become a preferred destination for investments from various countries, reflecting its conducive business environment.

Shinde, who was speaking at a midnight blood-donation camp in a New Year's Eve programme in Maharashtra's Thane on Sunday (31), also lauded the Swachh Bharat (Clean India) Mission initiated by prime minister Narendra Modi and the positive impact of a deep-cleaning drive taken up in Mumbai and its extension across the state.

The Shiv Sena leader, who became the chief minister in June 2022 with the support of Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party, also highlighted the successful implementation of 85 per cent of the memorandums of understanding signed during a summit in Davos in Switzerland in January 2023.

"Maharashtra has become a preferred destination for investments from various countries," he said.

Shinde's opposition in the state, however, alleged that some companies that the former's government claimed to have signed deals worth Rs 1.4 lakh crore (£13.2 billion) with in Davos were from the state.

Underlining the commitment to people's welfare, Shinde on Sunday said the Chief Minister's Relief Fund has provided assistance of over Rs 165 crore (£15.5 million) to more than 20,000 individuals since his government assumed office, a significant increase from the earlier disbursal of Rs 2 (£188,744) to Rs 3 crore (£283,117).

(With PTI inputs)