Industry in Kanpur welcomes Mayawati

Industry in Kanpur has extended a guarded welcome to the Bahujan Samaj Party victory in the elections to the Vidhan Sabha.

The speculations of having a hung Assembly have been proved wrong. And emergence of the BSP as the winner is been seen as a silverlining by industry.

This is because it will not prove to be a hindrance in taking decisions, although none could point out any instance where decision could not be taken due to the existence of a coalition government.

Nevertheless, they felt that having a clear majority willsave time in decision making, which wasn't the case in a coalition. The focus of attention will remain the state and good governance.

Asked if Mayawati has done anything for the small and medium industry during her three previous tenures as the chief minister, the answer is no, says Khetrapal, president of the Indian Industries association, a body of small and medium industry.

But now she will be paying attention, believes Khetrapal. "What she should do immediately is to introduce VAT, maintain law and order, control unfolding labour unrest and reduce tax slabs,"Khrtrapal said.

RK Agarwal, managing director, Netplast said, "We should welcome the installation of a majority government for the first time since last 14 years. She should, as promised, work for sarvajan samooh. There should be reduction of taxes and attention should be on improving infrastructure, power and roads."

"Mulayam Singh's dream of Uttam Pradesh was dashed when the investors from outside came and refused to invest," says Vishwanath Gupta, Managing Director Dolphin Developers.

Mulayam Singh was dazzled by the presence of the top notch industrialists from Mumbai and he ignored the local industry. The result was, Mulayam Singh could not make a dent in favour of industrialisation of UP.

But now, says Gupta, there is no reason why good work should not be performed. Naresh Manchanda of PSM said, "Mayawati should treat us as an industry. Neither Mulayam Singh nor Chidambaram, has ever thought of us as an industry. The previous government has levied huge taxes on us.The new chief minister, should drastically reduce these and instill confidence in us."

They said although Uttaranchal package has done a great deal of damage but if roads and other infrastructure is improved, industry may still stay on.