UPSIDC arm-twisting us, government failed to keep its promises

LUCKNOW: Accusing the UPSIDC of arm-twisting them, industrialists from across the state said the government had failed to keep its promises to them.

In an interaction with representatives of the industries department, industrialists said that the government had still not followed a 2001 order to transfer as many as 37 industrial areas to municipal corporations.

It had, instead, imposed additional fees on those operating from these areas, which lack proper infrastructure. The businessmen also raised the issue of payments by government organisations to vendors taking extraordinarily long.

"Despite handing over the industrial areas, the UPSIDC is arm-twisting us to pay up an additional maintenance charge which is illegal," said a participant during the annual session of Confederation of Indian Industry, UP on Friday.

He said that the order was passed in 2001 and the UPSIDC, in 2009, had also passed the proposal, making way for transfer of these areas to the municipal corporations.

"With this, the UPSIDC could no longer take maintenance charges from us. However, it went around this direction and imposed a new additional maintenance charge on us. Those who refuse to pay it are routinely arm-twisted," he said.

Executive director of Udyog Bandhu Santosh Yadav announced that the government would look into the complaint at the earliest.

While praising the government for major improvements in industrial development, participants also raised the issue of poor infrastructure in industrial areas, highlighting issues such as poor state of roads and sewerage system.

The industries department also assured the businessmen that the issue of payment to vendors would be resolved.

"I have taken a note of all suggestions and issues raised at this meeting. The issues that can be resolved at the earliest will be done so while others will be passed to the departments concerned," Yadav said.