In response to concerns from the business community, the Maharashtra government has introduced special awards that will acknowledge the contributions of businesspeople from this year.
There will be a total of four dedicated awards for industrialists on the lines of Maharashtra Bhushan.
The most prestigious of those awards will be the Udyog Ratna Award with a prize money of INR 25 lakh, a trophy, and citation. Second to that will be the Udyog Mitra, which includes a prize money of INR 15 lakh, a trophy, and citation. Additionally, two awards will recognise the achievements of one female and one male entrepreneur. All of these awards will carry prizes in addition to recognition.
The government has declared the Udyog Ratna award for Ratan Tata and Udyog Mitra award to Adar Poonawala, the Chief Executive Officer of the Serum Institute of India.
In recognition of female entrepreneurs, Gauri Kirloskar of Kirloskar Oil Engines Ltd. has been awarded the finest female entrepreneur award. The finest male entrepreneur award has been given to Vilas Shinde, the CMD of Sahyadri Farms. They will receive INR 5 lakh each, along with trophies and citations.