Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Wednesday underscored the importance of establishing a joint steering committee with Germany to strengthen collaboration in green energy, education, and cultural exchange.
आज जर्मनीचे कौन्सुल जनरल श्री. क्रिस्टोफ हॅलियर यांनी माझी सदिच्छा भेट घेतली. या भेटीदरम्यान राज्यातील उद्योग व तंत्रज्ञान, शिक्षणातील नाविन्यपूर्ण उपक्रम, शाश्वत विकास व हरित ऊर्जा, कौशल्य विकास कार्यक्रम, उद्योग बचत गट, उत्कृष्ट उपकरणांची निर्मिती तसंच नवीन बाजारपेठेतील संधी या… pic.twitter.com/2oUw0DOG9z
— Ajit Pawar (@AjitPawarSpeaks) October 1, 2025
According to PTI, the suggestion came during a courtesy visit by a German delegation, led by Consul General Christoph Hallier, at the Sahyadri Guest House, according to an official statement.
The meeting reviewed the status of ongoing collaborative projects between Maharashtra and Germany, including progress under the Maharashtra–Baden-Württemberg partnership. Discussions also covered agreements on skill migration and vocational training, as well as initiatives related to language education and other areas of mutual interest.
The German delegation also included the Deputy Consul General.
As per PTI, during the meeting, Ajit Pawar emphasised the need to establish a Maharashtra-Germany Joint Steering Committee to enhance cooperation in the fields of green energy, sustainable mobility, smart cities, research and startup ecosystems, higher education exchange, and cultural relations in the coming years.
Pawar further assured that the Maharashtra government will extend all necessary support to resolve challenges faced by German entrepreneurs investing in the state. He also highlighted the need to create more employment opportunities in Germany for Maharashtra`s youth and drew attention to the issues faced by Indian students pursuing education in Germany.
He expressed confidence that this cooperation would bring advanced technology, skill development, employment generation, and foreign investment to Maharashtra, while Germany would gain a reliable partnership and access to new markets.
Meanwhile, the state government has announced immediate relief measures for flood-affected families and farmers, including changes to the District Planning and Development Committee (DPDC) rules, relaxed e-KYC norms, and instructions to banks not to initiate loan recoveries.
On Tuesday, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said that around 60 lakh hectares of farmland were damaged in recent floods. He added that a detailed report is being prepared, and once ready, a proposal for financial assistance will be sent to the Government of India (GoI). “The Union government has assured complete support. But a formal proposal is needed. Once the survey is completed, we will request financial assistance from the GoI,” Fadnavis said.
Heavy rains this year have wreaked havoc across Marathwada, Vidarbha, North Maharashtra, and Western Maharashtra, with Marathwada and Western Maharashtra suffering the most. Crops have been destroyed, homes and belongings damaged, and livestock lost. The state government has already begun providing immediate relief. “Later, the amount can be reimbursed by the GoI,” the CM added.
As part of relief efforts, DPDC norms have been tweaked. Normally, DPDC funds are not used for post-rain relief, but now 10 per cent of the funds can be directed toward helping those affected by drought, heavy rainfall, or other natural calamities, said Jaykumar Gore, state rural development and panchayati raj minister.
(With PTI inputs)
