Less private investment in UP

Lucknow, Aug 24: Official data released by the government of Uttar Pradesh shows that the state has attracted less private investors in the heavy and medium-scale industry sector though it has achieved marginal success in the small and cottage industry sector in the state. In the 15-month-regime of the Mayawati government, only Rs 339 crore as private party investment has been received for heavy industry and Rs 212 crore in the medium-scale industry sector in the state. However, in the small and cottage industry private entrepreneurs have invested Rs 2,296 crore.

According to a government statement, only Rs 339 crore investment had been made in the heavy industry sector till June 30 with the biggest investment of Rs 200 crore in Kushinagar. Majority of the rest investments have come up in the eastern Uttar Pradesh with Rs 10 crore in Sultanpur, Rs 15 crore in Balrampur, Rs 16 crore in Sant Kabirnagar and Rs 13 crore in Ghazipur.

Interestingly, the major investment destinations in the state like Kanpur, Gautam Buddh Nagar (that includes Noida and Greater Noida), Meerut, Allahabad, Varanasi, Agra and Lucknow have drawn a blank.

Aligarh, known for its locks achieved an investment of Rs 25 crore, while the brass city of Moradabad failed to attract any private investor till date.

These investments have given jobs to 10,344 people, the statement claimed.

However, in another report, the government has claimed that major investments have come in the tiny and small-scale sector with 32,223 units having been set up since the BSP government came in power with an investment of Rs 2,296 crore. This sector has also given employment to 1,71,353 people.

Similarly, investment of Rs 212 crore has been made in medium-scale industries giving employment to 3,861 persons.

The tiny and the small-scale industries are generally cottage industry that make candles, agarbattis' (incence sticks) or any item that can be manufactured in a single room even in residential areas. Some units that manufacture khadi' also come under this category.

With the aim to invite private entrepreneurs the government has set up Nivesh Mitra' and help desks have been set up in each District Industry office. The government has also introduced e-tender facility in the state, but they have failed to bear fruits.

However, officials were mum over the apathy shown by the big industries towards investing in Uttar Pradesh, but claim that more products are in the pipeline and thousands of crores will be invested in the state in near future.

UNI