CM Pramod Sawant said the govt is open for suggestions on the functioning of the Investment Promotion Board (IPB) amidst criticism on the manner in which it has been functioning. “The meeting of IPB could not be held due to the  code of conduct,” he said during a discussion on the projects approved by the IPB. The special purpose vehicle is created under the CM’s chairmanship.
The issue was raised by Congress MLA Ravi Naik who questioned payment of more than Rs 1.15 crore to KPMG consultant till date as the agency is being paid Rs 1250 on hourly basis. He also questioned on the pitiable no of jobs created despite the consultant on board. “What is the use of the consultant when out of 28,666 jobs promised by the govt, only around 3,000 are employed during these many years,” he said. Leader of Opposition Digambar Kamat also questioned the hiring of consultants.
Assuring that the govt is working transparently and that the consultant has been hired following past Assembly debates, Industries Minister Vishwajit Rane said IPB will examine the requirement of consultant, KMPG company, which has been hired by the Board. He added the issue of synchronizing it with State Directorate of Industries will also be examined.