Amid power crisis in Punjab, Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath woos Ludhiana industrialists

LUDHIANA: In what comes as a shock for the Punjab government amidst the power crisis, Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath offered 24 hours of uninterrupted power at lower rates, besides other perks to state industrialists if they shifted or set up new units in his state. On Sunday, Ludhiana industrialists received an invite from the UP government for a meeting with the CM. A delegation of Ludhiana businessmen flew to Lucknow on Monday and held a three-hour long meeting with Yogi Adityanath in his office.
T R Misra, a prominent businessman and chairman, Federation of Dyeing Factories Association said, “On Sunday, I got a call from a senior officer of the UP government, who apprised me that UP CM Yogi Adityanath wanted to meet Ludhiana industrialists to discuss possibilities of setting up industrial units in UP. After giving our confirmation, we flew to Lucknow and held a long meeting with the CM, which lasted almost three hours.
CM Yogi has promised that unlike Punjab, industry will be given 24 hours of uninterrupted power supply, that too at cheaper rates. Besides, the UP government will also ensure proper safety and security of industrial units. We have been promised unmatchable incentives and option to set up industrial cluster at prime areas like near Yamuna Expressway near the upcoming Noida International Greenfield Airport, which would be India’s biggest airport.”
He added that they were flying back from Lucknow the same day to discuss the proposal of the UP government with other industrial associations and businessmen, after which a collective decision would be taken. “Definitely the offerings are very lucrative and the biggest advantage is that about 90% of the labour working in Ludhiana factories is from UP,” he said.
Gurmeet Singh Kular, who was heading the delegation, listed the benefits offered by the UP CM. “The meeting with CM Yogi Adityanath went quite well and along with committing all government support and fast tracking of industrial projects, CM Yogi said his government would ensure a totally peaceful environment for the industry with law and order fully maintained. He also apprised us about the advantages of setting up industry in UP, like the state, being part of the Eastern Corridor, would ensure cheap and easy movement of goods,” he said.
Kular stated that the delegation met senior officials, including Arvind Kumar, additional chief secretary, who informed them that the government would provide land in fully developed industrial areas to interested businessmen at a reasonable price of around Rs 5,000 per square yard. They also met Neena Sharma, secretary, infrastructure and industrial development, who explained fiscal benefits which would be available to investors, he said.