Maharashtra has retained its position as India’s leading destination for foreign direct investment (FDI), attracting Rs 1.13 trillion in the first six months of FY 2024-25. This accounts for 31.48% of India’s total FDI inflow during the period, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced.In a post on X, Fadnavis highlighted the state’s exceptional performance, noting that the FDI received from April to September 2024 was 94.71% of the average annual FDI recorded over the past four years. The first half of FY 2024-25 saw FDI of Rs 1132.36 billion, close to the annual average of Rs 1.20 trillion over the last four years, Fadnavis said.The state has consistently recorded FDI inflows between Rs 1.15 trillion and Rs 1.25 trillion annually over the past four years, attracting Rs 1.18 trillion in 2022-23 and Rs 1.25 trillion in 2023-24.The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) data revealed Maharashtra as the top performer in FDI inflows, followed by Karnataka with Rs 836.28 billion (21%) and Gujarat with Rs 370.59 billion (16%). India’s total FDI inflows for the first half of the fiscal year stood at Rs 45965.37 billion.From October 2019 to September 2024, Maharashtra secured Rs 6.45 trillion in FDI, representing 31.48% of the national total. Karnataka and Gujarat followed with 20.79% and 16.44% shares, respectively.While these figures counter opposition claims that Maharashtra is losing its investment edge, criticism persists. Congress leader Sachin Sawant accused the central government of favouring Gujarat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s home state. Maharashtra has always led in FDI. However, projects shifted to Gujarat under the Modi government could have boosted Maharashtra’s figures further. The state must also clarify why its $1 trillion economy target remains unfulfilled, Sawant said.(Hindustan Times)