Seeking to downplay criticism over lack of job opportunities for Maharashtrians in the state industries, the state government today said the proposed 131 SEZs in Maharashtra would create 59 lakh jobs.
Of the SEZs proposed in the state, 64 would come up in coastal Konkan region, 44 in western Maharashtra, 14 in Marathwada, nine in Vidarbha and six in Mumbai, a release from Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh's office said.
Locals would be trained by the Government for certain jobs, it added. Deshmukh has announced setting up of a Special Education Zone to train manpower needed for these SEZs, it said.
Altogether 44,282 hectares of land would be developed through SEZs, of which 3,200 hectares has been acquired so far, the release said.
The government has already ensured adequate package for landowners giving their lands for SEZs, it said.
The state government reiterated that land under irrigation would not be acquired for SEZs.