Nagpur: The state government is wooing top distilleries to set up a plant in Nagpur. Maharashtra industries minister Uday Samant told TOI that he will be holding a meeting with top officials of 3-4 distilleries during his visit to the city on Thursday. A proposal is expected to be finalized following the meeting. Once the deal is clinched, an investment to the tune of ₹2,500 crore is expected in the region, said Samant.One of the companies which the state would be holding talks with is a multinational making a popular brand of whisky. Land has been identified at Butibori for the proposed plant and may be offered to the investor, said a source privy to the development.This is part of the state governments attempts to attract industries to Vidarbha, with liquor manufacturing being looked at one sector with good prospects. The meeting comes right before the winter session of the state legislature in Nagpur. An announcement is expected to be made before the session starts.A source in the liquor business said a number of players in the industry are looking to expand capacities due to rising demand for spirits. A number of sites are being explored, and Nagpur is one of them. If the deal goes through, Vidarbha will have the first unit of a major liquor maker.Samant will also be visiting Wardha and Gadchiroli to hold a meeting with the officials of Maharashtra Industries Development Corporation (MIDC) and states department of industries.The state will also be allotting 1,000 acres of land to Lloyds Metals and Energy Limited (LMEL) for setting up a steel plant in Gadchiroli. The company has an iron ore mine and has started a direct reduced iron (DRI) plant in the district recently.Samant said JSW Steel has expressed interest in investing ₹10,000 crore in Gadchiroli. We also published the following articles recentlyJapanese whisky turns 100 as craft distilleries transform industryShizuoka Distillery, a leading independent whisky maker in Japan, is using cedar-fueled fires to craft its spirits and meet the global demand for Japanese whisky. With over 100 licensed distilleries in the country, the industry has experienced a boom in recent years. However, concerns have been raised about the potential for poor quality products to harm Japans reputation. Major makers like Suntory and Nikka have increased their capacity and stock to meet demand, while foreign companies like Diageo are also investing in the market. Craft whisky producers aim to maintain the high standards set by their predecessors.Industries to education, Maha pushes for 3600 devpt shift in Maoist hub GadchiroliThe Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Eknath Shinde, visited Gadchiroli as part of a government strategy to combat Maoists using economic and social development policies alongside increased security measures. The district has seen a significant increase in the number of police stations and the functioning of mining industries. The government aims to bring major investments to the region and wipe out Naxal-related violence. The presence of high-profile politicians in Gadchiroli indicates a positive change and ensures the implementation of schemes and funds allocation. The focus is on economic development, particularly in the mining sector, and improving education for tribal children.NHM funds on hold, state moots 2 fresh proposalsThe Punjab government has proposed two new ideas to resolve the dispute over branding of Aam Aadmi Clinics (AACs) as Ayushman Bharat health and wellness centres (AB-HWCs). One proposal suggests treating the AB-HWCs co-located with AACs as a state scheme, with the state covering the expenses for these centres. The other proposal suggests deducting the grant for these centres on a pro-rata basis. The Punjab government has urged the Union health ministry to resume funding under the National Health Mission (NHM) after the specified deduction. The state currently has 664 AACs, with 390 established in primary health centres.

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