CM Devendra Fadnavis urges industry to turn US tariff crisis into opportunity

“The US has tried to put India in a difficult position by raising tariffs. But instead of treating this as a crisis, we should look for new markets and ensure Maharashtra becomes a driving force in India’s economic growth,” the Fadnavis said.

As a solution to this, Fadnavis directed the creation of a dedicated ‘Ease of Doing Business War Room’ to monitor reforms, address bottlenecks and review progress every month.

He said that the disruption in global trade highlighted the need for Maharashtra to accelerate policy changes, attract fresh investments and provide greater support to exporters.

Fadnavis underlined that the state must cut procedural delays and strengthen its single-window clearance system so that industries do not face hurdles in acquiring permissions.

For agriculture-linked businesses on more than five hectares, he said prior approvals should not be required. He also called for speeding up land measurement processes and clearing environmental permissions in a fixed timeframe, while ensuring that industries which do not harm the environment are not subjected to punitive fines.

To spread industrial growth beyond existing hubs, the Chief Minister urged officials to frame a clear policy for private industrial parks outside state-run MIDC estates, with a special focus on small and medium enterprises.

“Industrialisation will bring prosperity and create jobs, but for that the system must be efficient and responsive,” he said.

At the meeting, officials presented a review of reforms already implemented in Maharashtra. The state has become the first in the country to issue year-long fire safety clearances, enacted the Maitri Act 2023 to streamline permissions, launched a single-window system for electricity connections requiring only two documents, and rolled out a Building Plan Management System to fast-track construction approvals. The Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation has also operationalised MILAP, an online portal for transparent land allocation.

Looking ahead, the state government outlined several new measures. These include creating a land bank to make plots available quickly, making the allotment process more transparent and efficient, and ensuring environmental permissions are granted within 60 days. At the district level, a mechanism will be set up to attract investment, while a dedicated export portal will be launched to help local businesses reach global buyers. A ‘One Taluka, One Cluster’ initiative will also be introduced to promote localised industrial growth.

Fadnavis further stressed that the government was committed not only to attracting new industries but also to supporting existing ones. He said reforms should result in real, on-ground change. “This is not about cosmetic reform. The real test is whether approvals come faster, whether industries face fewer hurdles, and whether jobs and prosperity are being created,” he said.