Current industrial policy provides many sops and incentives: Mahesh Kumar Gupta

Interview with Principal secretary of the state industrial development department

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Uttar Pradesh has big plans for industrial development and sustained economic growth. The government is keen to partner with the private sector and is encouraging it in several areas. Senior bureaucrat Mahesh Kumar Gupta, the principal secretary of the state industrial development department, is working towards equitable industrial development across UP and opening industries in the backward areas. In an interview with Virendra Singh Rawat, he described the way forward. Edited excerpts:

After holding UP investors' summits in Agra and Delhi, which is the next venue for the meet?

Right now, our priority is on facilitating the projects for which agreements have been signed with private investors. In our past investor summits, industrialists had evinced interest in setting up units. We are actively addressing their needs and working on projecting UP as an ideal investment destination.

The major grouse in Eastern UP (Purvanchal) is that the government neglects their regional needs.

One can concede that the state industrial policy does not provide for region-specific sops but we are laying a lot of emphasis on improving infrastructure facilities. The current industrial policy provides several sops and incentives. We are focusing on industrial development in Bundelkhand as well.

How do you explain why much of the industrialisation is happening in the National Capital Region (NCR)?

You would agree that besides the basic needs of power, water, land and transport facilities, industry needs a market, which is amply available in the NCR. This could be the main reason. However, things will gradually change when we spur development activities in other regions. Some big industries are coming up in Bundelkhand, while units have also been proposed on either side of the proposed Agra-Lucknow Expressway.

What will be the most tangible benefits to industry as the Agra-Lucknow Expressway project takes shape?

We are working on a textiles park in Farrukhabad. Land has already been identified. Kannauj will witness rapid progress in bio-fertiliser and perfume industries. Lucknow and the adjacent areas will also benefit from new industries. The (expressway) project is likely to change the dynamics of progress. It will also spur the real estate sector.

Brand UP has not yet taken off in a big way, despite several measures of the state government. What are your views?

It is largely a perception issue. In recent times, the state has done some commendable work in commercial tax and labour reforms, which directly relate to industry. Most cumbersome processes relating to industry and clearances have been made online.