LUCKNOW Make investments UP got here into existence round 5 years in the past with the only goal to propel Uttar Pradesh as essentially the most favoured vacation spot for traders. This nodal company for attracting and monitoring investments, which was shifting in the suitable route after inception, has of late been mired in controversy.
Abhishek Prakash’s tenure as DM of Bareilly in 2012-14 can be beneath scanner. BJP chief Mahesh Pandey and former chairman of Co-operative Federation Ltd, Bareilly, has written a letter to the ED searching for probe into the Worldwide Metropolis township accepted by Prakash when he was DM. (Pic for illustration)
Initiatives accepted by him within the current previous are additionally beneath the lens. These embody a ₹570 crore mission in Farrukhabad for manufacturing of carbonated water, starch, gluten, animal fodder and a ₹1300 crore funding by a multinational firm in Unnao.
“The ED will probe whether any commission was charged for approving these projects,” mentioned an official.
A 2006-batch IAS officer, Abhishek Prakash assumed cost of CEO of Make investments UP in 2022. Earlier than this, he was district Justice of the Peace of Lucknow and in addition held extra cost of vice-chairman of the Lucknow Growth Authority.
After the Enforcement Directorate (ED) took over the probe, approvals of tasks within the current previous are additionally beneath scrutiny.
“The ED is collecting details of all projects approved during the tenure of Abhishek Prakash as CEO,” mentioned a state authorities official.
“Projects approved and rejected by Abhishek Prakash as CEO of Invest UP will be under scanner. The ED will try to find out whether any commission was taken from the investor for approving his project. Similarly, if a project has been rejected, then whether this rejection is genuine or not,” added the official.
Prakash’s tenure as DM of Bareilly in 2012-14 is beneath scanner. BJP chief Mahesh Pandey and former chairman of Co-operative Federation Ltd, Bareilly, has written a letter to the ED searching for probe into the Worldwide Metropolis township accepted by Prakash when he was DM of the district.
Make investments UP media cell is beneath stress from the state authorities to regulate the injury precipitated to the premier company answerable for propelling funding within the state.
“But the incident has paved the way for quick approval of future projects. Now, Invest UP will go out of its way to assist an investor,” mentioned an official.
Step one, which Make investments UP has taken to regulate injury, is to make sure transparency within the land allotment course of. The company has sought particulars of vacant and allotted plots, institution of industries and progress of assorted tasks throughout the state from varied industrial authorities, together with UPSIDA, NOIDA, YEIDA, UPEIDA, GIDA and SIDA.