Maharashtra government can announce a special package for Vidarbha. According to media reports a 100 hectares land in the outskirts of Amravati district have been identified which would be developed as the textile hub of the region. Another two textile centres in the region are also being worked out. On the lines of MIDC, a Vidarbha Cotton Industrial Corporation (VIDC) is on the agenda. The purpose is to facilitate cotton cultivators channelize their products which would be in demand if there are spinning mills and other related small scale industries operating. Secondly, if both cotton cash crop and related industries are functioning it can become a new textile centre. Another major reform on the agenda relates to addressing the power crisis which has been dissuading the industries in the cotton growing belt of Vidarbha. In the last 15 years Vidarbha has registered maximum cases of suicides. The farmers’ representatives and opposition have demanded Rs. 6,000 per quintal rate for the cotton.
