 "Alok Ranjan")
Uttar Pradesh has accorded top priority to infrastructure development - across sectors like highways, urban transport and information technology. It has announced new policies and is rolling out the red carpet for private investment. The impetus is now on advertising 'Brand UP' and projecting the state as an ideal investment destination. Chief Secretary Alok Ranjan spoke to Virendra Singh Rawat on broad contours of the economic development road map. Edited excerpts:
How would you sum up the major steps taken by UP to rev up private investment?
We have implemented a single-window system to facilitate faster clearances and processes for industries. We have tried to give more teeth to Udyog Bandhu, which functions as an interface between the government and industry. The Nivesh Mitra portal has liberalised and simplified the processes.
Often, industrialists complain about delays and cumbersome processes for getting clearances from government agencies. Your comments.
The government has instituted a functional single-window system and the Nivesh Mitra portal for transparent, quicker and online clearances of investment and industrial proposals. However, there could be irritants; those are being resolved on a real-time ongoing basis. We welcome feedback from industry to improve.
India is still recovering from an economic slowdown. How do you think UP will cope in such testing times?
The economic slowdown was a global phenomenon and India was no exception. We have to remember that UP presents unlimited opportunities. It has the country's largest consumer basket of over 200 million people and large untapped potential in varied sectors. Our new policies have already started bearing fruit and we are getting encouraging response from the private sector. We stand committed to the equitable socioeconomic development of UP.
Which of the two sectors - industry and services - is getting more priority?
The state government is of the view that both the industrial and services sectors are vital for a balanced development of the economy and society. However, we are looking to take steps for spurring industrial growth at a faster pace, since it creates a far greater number of fresh job opportunities and touches the lives of masses.
UP is the largest hub of micro, small and medium Enterprises (MSMEs). How is the government reaching out to these companies?
MSMEs have always been our priority. This is the sector that ensures equitable distribution of wealth and resources, provides job opportunities and forms the real backbone of industrial growth. The state government has proposed several industrial clusters for the sector, while the single-window system has an in-built mechanism for faster clearances and grievance redress of entrepreneurs.
What are the specific measures to prop up Brand UP amid other competing states?
We have been organising investment meets and industry roundtables on a regular basis, in Lucknow and other places. Such events facilitate open and free dialogue between the government and industry for investment. We have even created a new department for the UP diaspora and created a dedicated portal to help them invest in their state of origin. So far, the response has been encouraging.
How does UP propose to cope with the shortage of skilled manpower?
The state government has been running an effective skill development mission that proposes skill training of four million workmen in the first phase. The candidates have the option of applying online under the scheme. We are regularly tying up with leading private companies for these training modules and offering job opportunities to the needy students.
Power shortage is a major challenge for rapid industrialisation of UP. Your comments.
In India, the energy demand has been growing rapidly and all states, including UP, have the tough task of balancing the incremental demand-supply gap. The UP government is aiming to provide 24-hour electricity by 2016. We have proposed to set up new power plants, upgrade existing units and augment power generation. Besides, solar power plants are being set up across the state and power transmission & distribution network is being spruced up to cut line and commercial losses.
The perception about a poor law-and-order situation is a vital parameter to judge the industrial climate in a state. Your views in UP's context.
The state government has already started the work on modernisation of the state police force. Modern police control rooms are being set up. We have even launched a mobile application to help people in distress reach out to the civil police in real time. I want to reassure industry and the people in general that the state government stands fully committed in this regard.
