Maharashtra Government Grants Funds for Textile Workers, Allocates for Startup Policy, Freight Corridor, and Land Reforms
Staff India: Maharashtra Cabinet Approves Comprehensive Startup Policy and Infrastructure Projects
The Maharashtra Cabinet has taken significant steps to boost economic growth, infrastructure, and social welfare with a series of approvals. These decisions reflect the government's focus on fostering progress while ensuring social inclusion.
In a major development, the state has adopted the Maharashtra Startup, Entrepreneurship and Innovation Policy 2025. This five-year strategy aims to nurture 1.25 lakh entrepreneurs and recognise 50,000 startups by 2030, positioning Maharashtra as a global hub for innovation-driven entrepreneurship.
The policy encourages inclusivity by supporting startups led by women, youth, rural and marginalized communities, and emerging technology sectors. Key objectives and features include:
- Economic growth: The policy introduces the Chief Minister’s Maha-Fund, providing financial assistance and mentoring to 25,000 early-stage entrepreneurs. This fund aims to fuel job creation, innovation, and wealth generation.
- Infrastructure development: The creation of the "Maharashtra Innovation City" in Navi Mumbai will serve as a state-of-the-art innovation and research hub. Every state department is mandated to reserve 0.5% of its annual budget for innovation, and plans for micro-incubators in ITIs, polytechnics, and regional hubs across the state are underway.
- Social welfare and inclusivity: The policy targets underserved groups, aiming to democratize access to entrepreneurship opportunities. New short-term courses in ITIs will boost employability and entrepreneurial skills. Startups selected under Maharashtra Startup Week gain direct government pilot project opportunities.
- Governance and implementation: The Maharashtra State Innovation Society (MSInS), led by the Chief Minister, will oversee policy execution. The policy introduces a centralized Unique ID system and an online knowledge portal to streamline access to resources such as funding, mentorship, and success stories.
On the infrastructure front, the Maharashtra Cabinet has approved the development of a new freight corridor linking Vadhavan Port in Palghar district to the Hindu Hriday Samrat Balasaheb Thackeray Maharashtra Samruddhi Mahamarg at Bharvir. Project planning and land acquisition have been finalised for this project.
In addition, the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation has been allowed to monetise surplus land through a revised policy for commercial use of its additional holdings.
The government has also approved a grant of INR 50 crore for 1,124 workers of the Nagpur Weavers' Cooperative Spinning Mill. The funds for the mill's land will be generated for its sale. In the healthcare and welfare sector, the cabinet decided to raise the monthly grant for non-government organisations working with leprosy patients from INR 2,000 to INR 6,000.
These decisions underscore the Maharashtra government's commitment to driving economic growth, infrastructure development, and social welfare while ensuring inclusivity for all.
[1] Maharashtra Startup, Entrepreneurship and Innovation Policy 2025 - Executive Summary [2] Maharashtra Startup, Entrepreneurship and Innovation Policy 2025 - Policy Document [3] Chief Minister's Maha-Fund [4] Maharashtra Innovation City [5] Maharashtra State Innovation Society (MSInS)
- The Maharashtra Startup, Entrepreneurship and Innovation Policy 2025 aims to nurture 1.25 lakh entrepreneurs and acknowledges 50,000 startups by 2030, fostering innovation-driven entrepreneurship in the state.
- The policy also includes the development of the Maharashtra Innovation City in Navi Mumbai, planned to be a modern innovation and research hub.
- To boost employment and entrepreneurial skills, new short-term courses will be introduced in ITIs for underserved groups to gain access to entrepreneurship opportunities.
- In addition, the government is working on a freight corridor linking Vadhavan Port to the Hindu Hriday Samrat Balasaheb Thackeray Maharashtra Samruddhi Mahamarg, with project planning and land acquisition already finalised.
