UP goes online for brand building initiative

Launches online payment portal ‘Nivesh Mitra’ for entrepreneurs.

In a significant step to improving ‘Brand UP’ among investors, Uttar Pradesh government on Friday launched its ambitious online platform for entrepreneurs christened ‘Nivesh Mitra’.

The interface combines online payment facility and several unique features for facilitating quicker processing of matters relating to industrialists and investors.

Earlier, Nivesh Mitra had been existing in its rudimentary form and the state industries department later roped in professionals to refurbish it and make it more investor-friendly and add features to brace for future challenges on e-governance highway.

State Infrastructure and Industrial Development Commissioner (IIDC) V N Garg launched the web portal, which is touted as an innovative e-governance model for UP.

With this launch, the entrepreneurs can avail of the facility of online payments, which is being offered in association with Punjab National Bank, while State Bank of India, also state-owned would come on board soon.

Nivesh Mitra is currently functional in 18 districts and it would cover the entire state in near future. It would also facilitate entrepreneurs for getting clearances from 12 government departments through a user-friendly interface.

Emphasising the importance of e-governance, Garg said it could only be made successful on the premise of good governance and has the ability to reduce transaction cost in terms of money and time.

Industrial development department special secretary and Udyog Bandhu joint executive director Anamika Singh gave a detailed demonstration-cum-presentation to elucidate the unique functionalities of the web portal of Nivesh Mitra (www.udyogbandhu.org).

Meanwhile, Garg asked industry bodies to play their vital role in using the web portal and spreading awareness amongst general public. He also urged the government departments and district magistrates to take active part in making this initiative effective.