Nagpur/Mumbai: A delegation led by Krishna Khopde MLA & Vikas Kumbhare MLA from Nagpur consisting of Dipen Agrawal President of Chamber of Associations of Maharashtra industry & Trade (CAMIT) , Prabhu Das Patel President Maharashtra Timber Laghu-Udyog Mahasangh & Vijay Kewate Secretary Maharashtra Timber Laghu-Udyog Mahasangh called upon Devendra Fadnavis Chief Minister today at Mantralaya in Mumbai.

Krishna khopde , MLA appraised Chief Minister about the hardship & harassment faced by saw mills across the state by unnecessary action being initiated by Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB). He informed Chief Minister about Issuance of closure notice by MPCB to all saw mills of state resulting in harassment , extortion & corruption by officials , he demanded withdrawal of notices immediately.

Dipen Agrawal President of Chamber of Associations of Maharashtra industry & Trade brought to the notice of Chief Minister that saw mills fall under the category of non polluting potential industry and should be exempted from taking consent from MPCB on the lines of Gujarat state were saw mills are exempted from taking clearance from pollution control board & are declared non polluting potential industry. He said the action by MPCB in state against saw mills will create large scale job loses resulting in huge unemployment & it may lead to chaos, resentment & labour unrest hence it is required to act immediately.

Prabhu Das Patel President of Maharashtra Timber Laghu-Udyog Mahasangh Informed the Chief Minister about the difficulties being faced by saw mills of state due to high handed action by officials of MPCB against them , he said that the closure notice is being issued with one weeks time to represent their side & to extend time further officials are demanding money & if their desire is not fulfilled MPCB officials are directing MSEDCL to disconnect power with immediate effect . He appealed to CM to kindly intervene & resolve the issue at the earliest or else saw mills will have no other option but to shift from Maharashtra to other states .

After patiently hearing the grievance put forth by the delegation Honorable Chief Minister was kind to order withdrawal of notices immediately by MPCB & also assured classifying saw mills as non polluting potential industry as a result granting exemption to saw mills from taking consent from MPCB in future . He also said his government has a zero tolerance policy against harassment & corruption , if any official is found to be harassing the industry then strict action would be taken against them.

Vikas kumbhare on behalf of the delegation proposed the vote of thanks & appreciated the immediate & swift action initiated by Honorable Chief Minister to grant relief to thousands of saw mills in the state.

Vijay Kewate Secretary Maharashtra Timber Laghu-Udyog Mahasangh thanked Krishna Khopde & Vikas Kumbhare MLA & Dipen Agrawal President of CAMIT for sparing their valuable time in the interest saw mills & their employees. He said the same is expected from them in future also if need may arise.