Like his better known counter parts in state of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, West bengal et al, the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Ram Prakash Gupta, too has decided to lead his state in image building to attract industries.
This follows the realisation on the part of the bureaucratic brass of the state that industry has gone to those states where the Chief Minister has led the drive, whether it is Punjab, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka. They have been envious of Chandrababu Naidu, or S M Krishna and the kind of suport that theyhave among industry and the image that they command nationally and internationally.
They have finally got over the inforiority complex that they are being led by a person who does not command raputation.
And Ram Prakash Gupta has risen to the occasion by accepting the challenge. This was seen in many decisions which he took while reviewing the performance of industry with the bureaucracy. An important decision was to increase the load of the Nodia Power company Ltd, which is distributing power in Greater Nodia.
The rostering of power that had lately afflicted Grater Nodia, the upcoming adjunct of Uttar Pradesh showpeice Nodia, many soon be over, with the state government deciding to increase the load of Nodia Power Company Ltd to 40 mw from the existing 30 mw.
This decision has been separated fromthe issue of the renewal of licensing to this R P Goenka outfit, whic is pending. NPCL was the first private sector company in the country that was given a mandate for power distribution, in 1993.
However, since then the relation between the company and the state government have soured. There is a dispute over the remaining payments, with the NPCL going to the court against the award of the umpire Mr. Beg Similarly, the state will have to decide on the recommendation of this committee that has said that now the power should be sold at a price of Rs 3.49 per unit.
This, a state official points out is a loss making proposition.
However, the decision by the Chief Minister, in the meeting of industrial development department does indicate that the state is in amenable mood and these issues will be sorted out. Other decisions taken inthe meeting are:
All industrial areas will be made free from power orstering and peak hour restrictions. For this the industrial feders have been identified and their list will be shortly issued Uttar Prades State Industrial Development Corporation, the industrial Development Corporation, the industrial infrastructure establishing agency f the state, will be given the licencse to generate and distribution power in the industrial areas of the state.
The policing in some of the up coming western districts including Saharanpur, Meerut and Moradabad commissionaries will be brought to the devel of Nodia whose hallmark is the establishment of high level police official for investigation and special training to the police force.
An important priority area which has been chalked out is the development of Kanpur Lucknow Industrial corridoor. The present road is being converted into an four lane expressway. Similarly electric local train service is likely to start shortly. This is to be developed as a focal point.
UP has already formed development council for Information Technology, Automobile, and food processing. UP proposes to establihe and area to house units who are wanting to establish downstream units.
