Lucknow, Feb 3 (KNN) As battleground UP is all set for the Assembly Elections in February, KNN spoke to industry representatives across sectors in the state to know what they witnessed in the last 5 years.

Most of the associations said there was no lack of promises made by Akhilesh Yadav led Samajwadi Party in the state, however, implementation was the only thing lacking.

President of Noida Entrepreneur Association (NEA) Vipin Malhan said, “The Chief Minister himself always emphasized to set up more industries in the state but the Officials didn’t do much on this.”

He added that CM always emphasized having more industries in the state especially in Noida but the Principle Secretary didn’t follow up much.

While taking quip over the Central Government, he said even central government is no different in this business.

“Two years back NH 24 (with a vision to increase the number of lanes) had been inaugurated by our Hon’ble PM Modi but nothing has happened yet. Fact is that everything has been done on papers but execution is nil.” said Malhan

Naveen Jain, Managing Director, Dayachand Engineering, Meerut, said there was no accountability for any policy for the MSMEs and industries were completely ignored.

“Industries had not been on the priority list of the state government and the industrial sector are still being ignored in the state,” said Jain.

He said the state government has failed in implementing the policies at ground as the execution level is close to zero. The industries in western UP are closing, added Jain.

Sharing similar sentiments, Chairman of Lucknow Chapter of Indian Industries Association (IIA) Surya Prakash said the state government had announced to freehold the land under Uttar Pradesh State Industrial Development Corporation (UPSIDC) many times in the meetings but the matter is still pending.

“CM made lot of announcements to make the lands freehold under UPSIDC but no physical action has been taken,” said Prakash.

According to him electricity was the major “headache” for the industries during the Samajwadi Party’s tenure.

“It has been tough for the small sector to survive as electricity has been so expensive. 99% of the Steel Furnaces have closed here, though big industries were able to migrate to other states but MSMEs were forced to shut down,” added Surya Prakash.

A local manufacturer Shailabh Agarwal, owner of Bharat Furniture House told KNN that higher tax rate and bribe have been a major problem for the manufacturers in the state.

NEA told KNN that industries are expecting Goods and Services Tax (GST) to be implemented soon so that the industries benefit from it. (KNN/RAS)