'To Make Maharashtra A $1 Trillion Economy': CM Shinde Sets Up Economic Council Headed By Tata Chairman

The Maharashtra government's State Economic Advisory Council will be headed by Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran. CM Eknath Shinde also announced schemes to curb farmer suicides in the state.

Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde on Thursday announced schemes to curb farmer suicides in the state.

Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde on Thursday announced the formation of a State Economic Advisory Council headed by Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran. He said this was part of the government’s efforts to make Maharashtra a 1 trillion dollar economy. 

“The State Economic Advisory Council will play an important role in making Maharashtra a 1 trillion dollar economy. Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran will head this panel,” he said in the assembly. 

This would be different from the existing Maharashtra Economic Development Council, which is a private research organisation that works as an economic think-tank for business and industry as also for the Government of Maharashtra 

He also said that the state government’s aspirational talukas and cities programme will be implemented on the lines of the Centre's aspirational districts programme. “This will help time-bound and comprehensive development of the cities in D-class municipal corporations, and B & C class municipal councils and nagar panchayats,” Shinde said. 

The Government of India launched the 'Transformation of Aspirational Districts' initiative in January 2018 in a bid to improve India's ranking under the Human Development Index (HDI), raising living standards of its citizens and ensuring inclusive growth for all. 

The Maharashtra government has further decided to grant a bonus of Rs 15,000 per hectare for paddy up to two hectares. “As many as five lakh farmers will benefit from this initiative,” Shinde said. To curb farmer suicides in the state, Shinde said that the Vasantrao Naik Agriculture Self Reliance Mission will be strengthened. "Community experts will also be involved to communicate and counsel the farmers so that they do not resort to suicide," he tweeted.

"Farmer suicides are a matter of concern. Between January and November, 2,673 farmers committed suicide in the state. Proceedings are underway to provide Rs 1 lakh to these farmers' families," he added.

The Maharashtra government is currently engaged in a legal battle in the Supreme Court concerning the border dispute over areas in Belgaum, Karwar Bidar, Nipani, Bhalki cities and the 865 Marathi-speaking villages in Karnataka. Both the Houses of the Maharashtra legislature on Tuesday unanimously passed a resolution to "legally pursue" the inclusion of 865 Marathi-speaking villages in Karnataka into the western state. 

Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) chief and former Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Monday said that the Centre should declare "Karnataka-occupied Maharashtra" areas as a Union Territory