Throwing open the doors of Uttar Pradesh to investors Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav signed MoUs worth Rs51,000 crore asking industries not to get swayed by media reports as “UP is a land of unlimited potential” and the face of the State has changed in the last three years.
“If one goes by media reports he will get a negative picture of Uttar Pradesh. But the fact is UP is no longer a sick State. Industrial houses are now willing to invest in UP. They are coming in large numbers and the State Government is committed to extend all help to them,” Yadav said while addressing an Investors’ Meet here on Thursday.
He suggested representatives of India Inc to enquire from the people who had invested in the State. “Talk to them about Government’s commitment to extend help to industries. See their reaction and judge yourself about the State of UP,” Yadav said.
Chief Minister said his Government had taken up the challenge to improve infrastructure. lucknow-Agra Expressway was the longest State funded highway which would shorten distance between lucknow and Delhi. Toshiba was setting up power plant in UP and metro was coming up in lucknow. “We are also planning metros in other cities like Varanasi and Allahabad,” he said.
UP Government signed MoUs to the tune of Rs51,098 crore with 58 companies in electronics, food and agro, infrastructure, manufacture, power, biomass, solar and IT sectors. Major players who have promised to set up industries in UP are: lG, Reliance Jio, Kanodia Group, Idea Cellular, Godrej Aggrovet and Toshiba. Maximum investment is expected to come in infrastructure sector to the tune of Rs13,405 crore followed by Rs6,630 crore in Food and Agro sector, Rs6,150 crore in the Manufacturing sector, Rs3,400 crore in the power sector, Rs1,578 crore in the Electronics sector, Rs1,000 crore in Biomass, Rs700 crore in solar sector and Rs100 cores in IT sector.
The Government also handed over the letter of Intent to Toshioba Power for setting up a 660 mw thermal power plant at Harduaganj which will be completed within 48 months with an expenditure of Rs3,436 crore.
“I should have come here earlier to invite investors because I know UP, a home to 20 crore people, is the largest market which an investor can get. We have skilled labour. We have all the resources at our disposal plus a receptive government which is ready to solve the problems of the investors,” he said
On this occasion, CM also launched the online portal of Film Bandhu where film makers can seek permission of shooting and problems of the film makers would be solved through a single window. CM also said around 100 film makers had shown their interest in shooting in the State.
Several film makers and investors also addressed the meet. Bollywood film maker Sanjay Khan who was setting up a world class ‘Theme Park’ in the Taj city of Agra called UP as a jewel in the crown. “UP is the best govern-State. Show faith on this Government and it will not disappoint you,” he said.
Godrej Agrovet chairman Nadir Godrej said UP’s Government in a poetic way that investments would take a chance if they found their experience very good. “Investments will come if Government plays a supportive role,” he said.
Sameer Gupta, chairman of Jackson Power Company said his company would invest Rs500 crore in the near future in the State.” We are setting up 10 megawatt solar power in Jhansi and another 30 mw plant in Bundelkhand,” he said.
Managing Director Amul RS Sodhi said his company was setting up four plants in UP including in lucknow, Kanpur, Varanasi and Saifai. “At present we are collecting 5 lakh litres of milk from one lakh family and soon we will be collecting 45 lakh litres from 5 lakh families,” he said.