China can be investment opportunity for UP: CM

LUCKNOW: Chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday said the Covid-19 (coronavirus) impact on China could be an investment opportunity in disguise for Uttar Pradesh.

He was speaking at a review meeting he held with the Covid-19 management ‘Team-11’ to review the lockdown scenario.

“Under the present global scenario, the US, Japan and several other countries intend to withdraw their investments from China. This could be an opportunity for Uttar Pradesh,” said Yogi, according to a statement issued by his office. He asked infrastructure and industrial development commissioner, principal secretary of MSME and principal secretary of industrial development to make proposals regarding this aspect.

Meanwhile, additional chief secretary Awanish Kumar Awasthi said the UP government plans to woo big construction, automobile, health equipment, smart phone, drug manufacturing, tourism, textile as well as medium and small companies to shift their units from China to Uttar Pradesh.

Awasthi said the state government will offer good packages to the foreign companies that wish to shift their base or invest in UP.

Uttar Pradesh industrial development commissioner Alok Tandon said the state industry development department will prepare a list of foreign companies that have units in China and contact the owners of these companies through their ambassadors. The department will inform the companies about the packages offered by UP government as well as the investment opportunities here, he said.

ON CORONAVIRUS

Yogi asked officers concerned to “take ‘strictest’ action against anyone who conceals Covid-19 infection or deliberately spreads it.” He further said: “Identify anyone who hides the infection or attempts to deliberately spread it. Not only this, but also act against any district magistrate or district police chief if they commit any lapse on this count.”

The chief minister, talking about the Covid-19 hotspots in the state, said testing for coronavirus must be ramped up in the hotspots. “Make categories in the hotspots and then put multiple teams to executive testing. Also, consolidate door-step delivery of essential items in the hotspots. Work so well that the people in the area get to notice the work being done for their benefit,” he said. Principal secretary, medical and health, Amit Mohan Prasad informed the chief minister that Pilibhit emerged as the first district in the state to have become a Covid-19-free district. All the coronavirus positive patients there have been cured.

Yogi said that emergency and critical care should be restored in hospitals without compromising on coronavirus safety protocols.

Yogi asked officers concerned to start making arrangements for sending home those persons who have completed 14-day quarantine at shelter homes.