The Uttar Pradesh Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, has given the green light to special incentives worth Rs 3,000 crore under the Semiconductor Policy 2024. These incentives, tailored case by case, encompass interest subsidies, employee cost reimbursements, full exemption from net SGST for a decade, 100% EPF reimbursement up to Rs 2,000 monthly for UP residents, water tariff concessions, and a 10-year relief of Rs 2 per unit on electricity bills.
State Finance and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Suresh Kumar Khanna, in a briefing post the meeting, highlighted the rapid expansion of semiconductor manufacturing globally, particularly in the US, Europe, Japan, and Taiwan. The move aims to position Uttar Pradesh, and India at large, as a key player in this sector, fostering significant investments and job opportunities. Among the 14 proposals tabled, 13 garnered approval from the cabinet.
In a separate decision, the cabinet has approved the construction of a modern bus station on Tanakpur Road near Pilibhit’s district headquarters. Spanning 1.317 hectares of revenue department land leased to the Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation for up to 30 years extendable to 90 years, the new station is anticipated to streamline travel for passengers bound for Uttarakhand and Nepal.
Furthermore, the cabinet has given the nod for the demolition of 11 decrepit buildings at Varanasi’s Shiv Prasad Gupta SSPG Divisional District Hospital to pave the way for a 500-bed multi-super specialty hospital costing Rs 315.48 crore. With 60% funding from the central government and 40% from the state, the project is set to enhance medical services in Purvanchal over a four-year period. Similarly, in Kanpur, the cabinet has approved the replacement of old residential quarters of the 37th Battalion PAC with 108 new Type-One Special housing units to enhance living conditions for personnel.
Moreover, 50 acres of land in Tehsil Raja Talab, Varanasi district, will be allocated free of charge on a 99-year lease from the Animal Husbandry Department for establishing an off-campus of the National Forensic Science University, Gandhinagar. This move is poised to bolster academic and technological prowess in forensic science, cybercrime investigation, and criminal justice statewide. Additional approvals encompass amendments to the recruitment rules for 18 vacant Regional Sports Officer posts in the Sports Department, with two-thirds of the positions earmarked for promotions and one-third reserved for international medalists from the Olympics, Asian Games, or Commonwealth Games.
