Maharashtra hits pause on Chinese projects worth ₹5,000 crore
The Maharashtra government on Monday (June 22) put three projects worth ₹5,000 crore on hold since they were signed with Chinese companies.
The Maharashtra government on Monday (June 22) put three projects worth ₹5,000 crore on hold since they were signed with Chinese companies.
The move comes in the backdrop of 20 Indian soldiers being killed in the violent clashes between the Indian and Chinese troops in Galwan Valley in eastern Ladakh last week.
According to a report in NDTV, the projects were finalised during the recently concluded “Magnetic Maharashtra 2.0” investors meet held ahead of the scuffle near Line of Actual Control.
“Yes, the decision was taken after consulting the centre. We have put the projects on hold and are waiting for further directives from the centre,” Maharashtra Industry Minister Subhash Desai told NDTV.
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The meet, which was held via video conferencing and attended by Chinese ambassador Sun Weidong, witnessed a dozen MoUs being signed between the Uddhav Thackeray government and countries like China, South Korea, Singapore and the US, in a bid to kick-start the state’s economy.
On June 15, the same day as the meet, violent clashes erupted between the Indian Army and People’s Liberation Army, raging nationwide appeals for boycott of Chinese products.
As per local media reports, out of the 12 MoUs signed, three were with China — Hengli engineering’s project worth ₹250 crore, Great Wall Motors’ collaboration worth ₹3,770, and a project with PMI electromobility worth ₹1,000 crore.
“There is a sentiment against China currently. So the centre should come out with a national policy on what needs to be done about deals with China. The Maharashtra government has always put forth its views first about nationalism. Even Uddhav Thackeray had made his views on nationalism clear during the teleconference with the PM,” senior Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut said.
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Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, during the all-party meeting called with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said, “India wants peace but that doesn’t mean we are weak. China’s nature is betrayal. India is Mazboot (strong) not Majboor (helpless).”
In unison, Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar also demanded a review of all previous trade agreements with the neighbouring country “to ensure that Chinese products are not used.”
A similar trade review is being conducted by several Indian states and countries across the world.
