In the dock for alleged mishandling of investment proposals, the Uttar Pradesh government has decided to reform and restructure the process to speed up clearances and ensure that files do not get stuck unnecessarily in departments concerned. The move comes in the wake of some recent incidents that attracted the ire of the Opposition parties, including the suspension of Invest UP Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Abhishek Prakash, a senior IAS officer, over allegations of seeking bribe from a businessman for clearing a solar project. These reforms were given the go-ahead this week after a presentation was made before Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath who has set a deadline to introduce the measures, it is learnt. It came up during the review meeting that despite having a single-window system (Nivesh Mitra) in place, entrepreneurs still have to get in touch with different departments for clearances and in some cases no-objection certificates (NOCs) are given by officials at different levels. To deal with these challenges and ensure that files are not unnecessarily delayed at any level, some of the key “reforms” proposed include reorganisation of 'Nivesh Mitra' and 'Invest UP', by implementing measures, including developing a new software within six months, officials said. The new system will ensure the implementation of the Single Window Act 2024, whereby clearances to big investment projects are given by the Industrial Development Department, they added. Moreover, the formation of an “industry chasing cell” has been given approval, which would act as a nodal agency for giving clearances and providing incentives to big investment projects. The cell will be tasked with providing all facilities to mega investment projects right from the selection of land to its acquisition, preparation of detailed project reports (DPRs) to organising business meetings etc, it is learnt. Officials said the “industry chasing cell” model was implemented in Telangana, where nearly Rs 3 lakh crore in investment was brought in by facilitating 26,000 industries and some industries migrating out of the state chose to stay back. Senior officials have also been tasked with setting deadlines for giving specific clearances and approvals which may be considered “deemed approved” beyond a certain time frame and that those concerned be held accountable for the delays. The Yogi Adityanath-led government recently faced a flak from the Opposition parties following the suspension of Invest UP CEO Abhishek Prakash over allegations of anomalies in clearance to an investment project.
