After Gujarat snub, Uttar Pradesh to host its own Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas

Upset over removal of 'UP Rising' posters at Pravasi Bhartiya Divas in Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh government has planned to organise a diaspora conclave of its own for the first time next month to woo investors and associate NRIs in development of the state.

"We are going to organise UP Pravasi Bhartiya Diwas (UPPBD) in the state for the first time. As per plans, UPPBD will be a two-day event from February 28 in which besides NRIs, investors from all over the world would be invited.

"We are also extending invitations to Ambassadors of many countries," state government Advisor for NRI Department Madhukar Jetley told PTI here today.

He said the state government has initiated a number of developmental projects like start of five metro rail projects, including one in Varanasi, the Lok Sabha constituency of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"Since 2012 when Samajwadi Party government was formed in UP, work on five metro rail projects, including one in Varanasi has been started. The Metro project in five cities, including Varanasi, Lucknow and Agra, alone will require an investment of about Rs 2.5 lakh crore," he said.

For investors, a separate NRI department was set up in May 2014 to facilitate investments by them in Uttar Pradesh, he said.