Now Reading: Maharashtra sets up ministerial task force to push drone policy
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Maharashtra sets up ministerial task force to push drone policy
Maharashtra will set up a ministerial task force, led by Electronics, IT and AI Minister Ashish Shelar, to implement the state’s drone policy. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis made the announcement on August…
The Story in Brief
Maharashtra will set up a ministerial task force, led by Electronics, IT and AI Minister Ashish Shelar, to implement the state’s drone policy. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis made the announcement on August 13 after meeting drone industry representatives in Mumbai.
Fadnavis called for a “policy of policies” combining R&D, manufacturing, testing, patents and subsidies. He directed officials to fast-track a ‘Drone City’ in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and consider land incentives via MIDC. The move follows allegations of conflict of interest against consultants who drafted the policy, as The Hindu reports, and industry concerns about uncompetitive incentives.
The Indian Opinion
The conflict-of-interest allegations against drone policy consultants show how even well-meant schemes can get tangled before takeoff. Worse, stakeholders complain Maharashtra’s incentives lag other states. A task force headed by Ashish Shelar must now prove speed and fairness. The real test: will the ‘Drone City’ in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar break ground in six months?
Sources (2): rediff.com, thehindu.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the 2 sources linked above.
Updated: this story now draws on 2 sources.
