UPSIDC—Creating an industry friendly environment

UPSIDC’s vision is to provide an environment where existing industries can grow and new investments can come with ease in such a way that Uttar Pradesh is looked upon as a globally competitive and industry friendly destination, and contribute towards the overall economy of the State and the nation, says Ranvir Prasad, Managing Director, Uttar Pradesh State Industrial Development Corporation (UPSIDC) in conversation with Arpit Gupta of Elets News Network (ENN).

What initiatives have been taken by UPSIDC to promote industries in the State?

UPSIDC has more than 150 industrial areas across Uttar Pradesh where close to 30000 plots have been allotted for setting up industrial units. With demand for industrial land increasing, we have taken several steps to make available industrial land for new investments. We have taken steps to ensure that land being held up by speculators in our industrial estates is freed up and made available to new entrepreneurs and they get utilized.

We have also published our entire land bank online and created facility for online application and easy allotment. These steps have yielded dividend and we have managed to attract investments worth Rs 6000 crores since April 2017. UPSIDC is further pursuing projects in core sectors like logistics to provide platform to increase manifold scale of investments coming into state. The logistics park along with an integrated manufacturing cluster proposed at Bhaupur near Kanpur would open myriad opportunities for industries and bring lakhs of employment.

Mega Leather cluster being set up at Kanpur would boost up already established leather sector of Kanpur. An integrated industrial township being envisaged at Chola near Bulandshahar would take development beyond NCR also. Dedicated investor facilitation cell has been established as an interface for the investors for setting up their base in the State and providing assistance promised to the investors. The cell act as a ‘One stop solution’ for all the investor queries with aim to handhold the investors from a prospect to the successful operation running in the State. The team consisting of professional consultants work under the cell.

To hear out more from the investors, UPSIDC has come out with a robust system “http:// onlineupsidc.com” which not only facilitates the investors with hassle-free online allotment process but also assists the investors in availing various information such as land availability, GIS mapped industrial areas, important order set with a single click.

How are you ensuring creation of investor friendly climate in the State?

As I mentioned earlier, primary aim of State Government is to ensure ease of doing business for all. Single Window System being developed ends many windows inside a single window which was the case earlier. UPSIDC has created system to gel with the vision of the state Government. A single generic framework has been designed with the thought that this framework will not only act as a template for scaling of citizen centric service delivery simplification but also bring in more investment and employment in the State. This is a major step towards technology enhancements, moving towards digital office, from offline mode to online mode.

UPSIDC has implemented online allotment system and building plan approval management system. Using Business Process Reengineering, now only those documents and information are sought from the allottees that are absolutely necessary for providing the service and verifying the eligibility for the service. The objective criteria for evaluation of application has been defined. It is being ensured that all inspection reports are uploaded in 48 hours by the respective engineers that are due at each stage.

Scrutiny process for building plan approval has been restricted to parameters such as FAR, setback, ground coverage, parking space, NOCs from the fire department and NOCs from pollution board. Various online modules are being upgraded to the next level to support business processes in real time in phased manner so as to bring in the efficiency in the internal functions such as Grievance Handling (GHS), Content Management, Legal Case Management, Document Management System (DMS), Financial Accounting Management System (FAMS), Human Resource Management System (HRMS), Integrated Project Management System and Internal Asset Management System.

What is the vision of UPSIDC?

UPSIDC’s vision is to promote and develop the industry and take it to the level where Uttar Pradesh is treated as a globally competitive and industry friendly destination, and contribute towards the overall economy of the State as well as the nation. The State has a large base of skilled labour, making it an ideal destination for knowledge- based sectors. The State also has a large pool of semi-skilled and unskilled labour. The Government of Uttar Pradesh offers a wide range of subsidies, policy and fiscal incentives as well as assistance for businesses under the well-drafted, sector specific industrial policy. Now, State Government is in the process of releasing policies for pharmaceutical sector, aerospace & defense sector, logistic sector and electric vehicle sector.

UPSIDC has organised and also planned various national and international conferences, summits, roadshows and events with help of industry associations and corporates. Print, electronic and social media is used to create awareness, branding and positioning of UPSIDC as one of the preferred destinations. The UPSIDC participates in reputed national and international events to reach out to the potential investors. UPSIDC has fixed a target of Rs 10,000 crore to bring as investment during the investor summit being held on Februrary 21-22. UPSIDC is committed to make UP as the most attractive destination for the industries and to provide an investor friendly business environment which is marked by speedy decision making. UPSIDC ensures that doing business in Uttar Pradesh is a rewarding experience.

How do you ensure real-time availability of land on GIS web interface?

UPSIDC land bank is spread in 154 industrial areas across 51 districts of Uttar Pradesh. This land bank has been earmarked through Geographic Information System (GIS) and is publically available on website. The GIS web interface of UPSIDC has led to an enterprise level solution by facilitating certain tools like real time plot status on each industrial area, current occupancy and plot company details, product being manufactured etc.

What is your approach to operate and maintain the industrial areas in a better way? Special Purpose Vehicles (SPV) are being formed in the industrial areas of UPSIDC involving the local industry associations for the operation and maintenance of the industrial areas resulting in better operation and maintenance of infrastructure facilities in the industrial area such as drainage, road, green area/parks etc. This will also encourage private sector participation. It is proposed that, First, UPSIDC/Local Bodies (in case Industrial area has been handed over to local bodies) should sign Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Industry associations of the concerned area as an intent to form SPV. Once MoU is signed, separate MoU may be signed among the UPSIDC Industrial area/ Local Bodies, industrial association and SPV in which provisions can be made that annual maintenance charges/Taxes as collected from the industrial units should be transferred to the SPV as per the UPSIDC/ Local Body orders for the maintenance of the basic infrastructure of industrial area such as roads, storm water drain, drainage network, streetlight network, waste management etc.

How do you ensure transparency in the tendering system?

To bring transparency, efficiency and accountability in its procurement system and allotment of construction works, UPSIDC has implemented e-tender system- an online solution to convert tedious procurement process into an economical, transparent and more secure system that covers the entire process such as enrolment of officials and bidders, tender creation and publishing, publishing of corrigendum, online bid submission/resubmission, automatic evaluation of the financial bid, award of the contract etc.availability,

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