Govt to come up with new policy on retail, electric vehicles

LUCKNOW: Ahead of the second ground breaking ceremony for projects worth ₹1 lakh crore in the next two months, the state government would come up with a new policy on retail and electric vehicles to facilitate and attract investment, said industrial development minister Satish Mahana.

The minister, who was interacting with the representatives of various companies and venture capitalists here on Saturday, said preparations were on to ensure foundation laying of projects worth ₹50,000 crore in December alone. Mahana said apart from attracting more investment, the new policy would also open up job opportunities in the state. Plans are afoot to start work on the country’s biggest international cricket stadium at Ghaziabad with a seating capacity of 75,000, the announcement for which was made by chief minister Yogi Adityanath last month.

Representatives of 40 companies participated in Saturday’s meeting. Other big ticket projects that have been lined up for the occasion include setting up of a battery operated vehicle manufacturing plant by a Singaporebased company and service of 500 battery operated buses in Ghaziabad apart from several other power, electronic and textile manufacturing units.

“For the first time, we have made 340 megawatt of power available under the open access regime,” said chief secretary Anup Chandra Pandey. He said new industries could take advantage of this scheme in which an investor can choose the power supplier of his/her choice and not be dependent on the UP Power Corporation. Pandey said the policy on electric vehicles was being given final shape and a fresh one on retail sector would also be announced soon. He directed officials to hold one on one meeting with the investors’ to facilitate projects’ roll out. Officials have been told to complete all formalities in a time-bound manner and ensure quick project clearances and approvals and also provide the require infrastructure facilities to the investors.