UP announces pact with French city to revive perfume industry

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav today announced a twin-city project with Grasse in France to revive the perfume industry in Kannauj, represented in the Lok Sabha by his wife Dimple Yadav.
The announcement comes days after the chief minister led a state delegation to French city of Grasse, known for manufacturing best perfumes in the world.
Akhilesh also announced setting up of a perfume park and perfume museum in the city, traditionally famous for its 'ittras' (perfumes), a government official said today.
"The chief minister has made these announcements for developing the traditional perfume industry in state's own 'itrra city' of Kannauj as well as ensuring that it gets its due recognition at the international level," the official said.

The chief minister has asked the officials concerned, including Principal Secretary (Industrial development), to initiate steps for a phase-wise implementation of these announcements, the official said.
State government officials have been asked to prepare a 'Detailed Project Report' in a month for the park, he said.

Stressing on the need to bring Kannauj's traditional perfume industry on global map through 'Geographical Indication', Akhilesh asked the officials to take up the matter with the central ministries concerned and get necessary clearances at the earliest.
The chief minister said the new generation should be trained in new techniques in the perfume industry used at international level.

"This will not only help generate more employment opportunities for the Kannauj youth but they would also be able to contribute in development of the traditional industry," the official said.
With this aim in mind, the chief minister has decided that a group of 10 to 15 students will be sent every year to Grasse for three months, six months, and one year training programmee on perfume industry through the skill development mission and UPSIDC, the official added.