Extend deadline for approval: UP to Centre

LUCKNOW: In a step apparently aimed at giving relief to Yoga guru Ramdev’s Patanjali Ayurvedic Limited after its threat to shift its mega food park out of the state, the Uttar Pradesh government has requested the Centre to extend by 15 days the June 15 deadline that the Inter Ministerial Approval Committee (IMAC) had set for the company to get the state government’s final approval for setting up the food park in the Greater Noida region.

“We have requested the Centre to extend the deadline given by IMAC to Patanjali Food and Herbal Park Noida Private Limited from June 15 to 30,” said infrastructure and industrial development commissioner (IIDC) Anup Chandra Pandey.

In a letter dated June 12, 2018 sent to union secretary, food processing industry, JP Meena, the IIDC has referred to the deadline. The letter said, “It is requested to extend the IMAC deadline from June 15, 2018 to June 30, 2018 to enable the state government to grant final approval (to the food park).”

Patanjali Ayurved Limited vice president Ravindra Chaudhary, in a letter dated June 11, 2018, had formally informed the IIDC about the deadline in pursuance of the union food processing industry ministry’s decision and said the Centre would cancel the food park project if the state government failed to give final approval to it by June 15.

Under the Uttar Pradesh Infrastructure and industrial Investment Policy 2012, the Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority had allotted 455 acre land to Patanjali Ayurved Limited. Patanjali Ayurvedic Limited had on March 23, 2018 requested that 91 acre (out of 455 acre) of land be transferred to its subsidiary Patanjali Food and Herbal Park Noida Private Limited to set up the food park, for which the Centre had granted in principle approval.

A senior officer, who is aware of the developments, said the Patanjali group’s proposal will be placed before the state cabinet for consideration soon. The state cabinet is likely to allow YEIDA to transfer 20% of the 455-acre land to Patanjali Ayurved Limited’s subsidiary.

STATE GOVT EXAMINING LAND TRANSFER ISSUE

A senior officer said the state government was examining the issue of transferring 91 acre out of 455 acre land to the Patanjali Ayurved’s subsidiary to set up a food park. Patanjali wants permission from YEIDA to allow sublease of the allotted land to other companies that may set up units in the proposed food park. The state cabinet is likely to allow Patanjali to sublease 20% of 455-acre land. This comes to 91 acre. Patanjali may, therefore, be allowed to sublease land from this 91 acre to other companies for setting up the food park.