Lucknow, Nov 20 (IANS): The Uttar Pradesh government Wednesday reached out to industry and tried to sort out long standing issues and problems faced by it.
The state government's investment facilitation agency -- Udyog Bandhu -- held interactive sessions to resolve pending issues of industrial units on a case-to-case basis.
On complaints by entrepreneurs that exemption from electricity duty to new and pioneer units gets delayed, it was decided that the energy department would frame a uniform procedure for availing this facility as provided under the infrastructure and industrial investment policy.
It was also decided that the issue regarding the rate of interest on security deposit for electricity connection to industries should be resolved on a priority basis.
Officials said that interest on security deposit had been adjusted in the electricity bills of October.
The Uttar Pradesh State Industrial Development Corporation (UPSIDC) was directed to mention the provision of exemption from stamp duty on registry papers in cases where allotted industrial plots are re-allotted to new units if the first allotment is cancelled due to any reason.
The state Pollution Control Board was directed to issue no-objection certificates to 14 cottage fabric printing and dyeing units of Farrukhabad and to restore their electricity connections as these units have established effluent treatment plants.
These units were shut down before the organisation of the Kumbh Mela in Allahabad.
The Indian Industries Association (IIA) had requested for restoration of electricity to these units.
Executive Director-Udyog Bandhu and Principal Secretary (Infrastructure and Industrial Development) Surya Pratap Singh said: "Engaging with industries and entrepreneurs to resolve their issues is a continuous process and an important component of improving the industrial environment in the state."
"The state government is focused on removing all kinds of bottlenecks in establishing and running the industries," he added.
On the specific demand of the IIA for establishment of a pharmaceutical park at Lucknow, UPSIDC managing director Manoj Singh said the development of the pharma park could be considered either in available industrial plots at Amausi or at Sandila.
He asked the interested industrialists to initiate a proposal in this regard.
The agenda comprised a range of specific issues pertaining to rebate in electricity bills, sanctioning of power load, establishment of new power sub-stations, exemption from electricity duty, stamp duty, concession in VAT and excise duty, ensuring quality power supply, setting up of fire stations and police stations, physical possession of industrial plots and no-objection certificate from the Pollution Control Board.
Over the past two days, 56 cases were taken up relating to the UP Power Corporation Ltd (UPPCL), UPSIDC, Pollution Control Board, departments of fire safety, commercial tax, excise, agriculture marketing, housing, micro, small and medium enterprises, labour, stamp duty and registration, officials said.
In most of the cases, directions were given to the departments concerned to resolve the issues in a time-bound manner to the satisfaction of the entrepreneurs.