NOIDA: The industrial land allotment policy for the three development authorities in GB Nagar is set to be modified again. Authorities plan to use e-auctions for plots up to 8,000sqm, and an objective criteria or interview for larger land parcels. The decision follows a review meeting led by chief minister Yogi Adityanath. According to sources, Noida, Greater Noida, and Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authorities, being autonomous bodies, had sought approval from the CM to determine the method and criteria for plot allotments independently.
On July 6 last year, UP industrial development commissioner Manoj Kumar Singh issued a letter directing the authorities to abolish the e-auction process and reinstate the previous objective criteria method, effective before April 2022. Noida and Greater Noida authorities switched to an interview-based method after scrapping the e-auction process in Aug, and YEIDA followed suit in Sept.
The move followed persistent agitation by entrepreneurs, particularly those in the micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSME) sector, who argued that the e-auction process favoured large-scale entrepreneurs, making it difficult for smaller enterprises to secure plots.
Noida Authority subsequently allotted some plots to industrialists based on the new criteria, while Greater Noida and YEIDA launched schemes under the revised system.
However, in Feb this year, UP industrial development minister Nand Gopal Gupta Nandi directed the authorities to seek the CM’s approval before proceeding with any industrial land allotments through interviews.
This directive stalled the allotment process, which is now expected to resume soon with the issuance of a new order to implement the updated policy.
Before April 2022, industrial plots in GB Nagar were allocated through a combination of draws, interviews, and evaluations by a screening committee led by the chief executive officer.
Entrepreneurs of all categories were eligible to participate. Plots larger than 2,000 sqm were allocated after evaluation by the screening committee, and those smaller than 2,000 sqm were allocated through a draw of lots.
PK Tiwari, president of the Industrial Entrepreneurs Association, expressed concern that the new categorisation still favours larger investors.
“The e-auction process inflates the prices of industrial plots, pushing small entrepreneurs out of the race. The authorities should consider allowing plot allotments up to 2,000 sqm through a draw of lots to ensure smaller industrialists can still access land. Otherwise, only bigger companies will be able to set up industries here, severely impacting the MSME sector, which is the largest job creator,” Tiwari said.
