UP Legislators Launch ‘Friends Of MSMEs’ Platform To Boost State’s Economic Growth

Lucknow: Legislators from 20 industrial hubs across Uttar Pradesh have come together to launch the ‘Friends of MSMEs in UP Assembly’, a platform aimed at addressing challenges faced by micro, small and medium enterprises and accelerating the state’s economic growth.

The group, convened by Lucknow MLA Dr. Neeraj Bora, is modelled on the ‘Friends of MSMEs in Parliament’ at the Centre, which has been credited with effectively resolving sectoral issues through parliamentary mechanisms. The central body is headed by Indore MP Shankar Lalwani with former Meerut MP Rajendra Agrawal as national convenor.

The UP initiative was launched in Lucknow a day before the Assembly’s 24-hour marathon discussion on the state’s economic growth.

Speaking at the inaugural session, Rajendra Agrawal said, “The political will to effect rapid economic growth is palpable both in the state and at the Centre. But to overcome the inertia in the system against change requires closer cooperation between political leadership and MSMEs.”

He stressed that legislative powers to resolve systemic issues faced by entrepreneurs remain “highly underutilised”, pointing to the success of the parliamentary forum in bringing ministries, constitutional bodies and industry representatives together.

The national MSME body Federation of Indian Micro and Small & Medium Enterprises (FISME) will act as the secretariat for the UP group, as it does for its central counterpart.

Anil Bhardwaj, Secretary General of FISME and member of the UP Government’s Economic Advisory Group, called for large-scale formalisation of MSMEs to enable expansion and growth. The group plans to set up committees for time-bound action on formalisation, public procurement, insolvency and bankruptcy provisions for small businesses, and tapping into the “temple economy” for job creation.

Several MLAs flagged persistent issues with municipalities, urban development, power supply, pollution control and fire safety.

Taking charge as convenor, Dr. Bora said the group would meet during every Assembly session to address “binding constraints” faced by the sector. Noida MLA Pankaj Singh stressed the need to foster an “investment-friendly culture” for MSMEs, assuring full support for pro-industry initiatives.

Former FISME president Dinesh Singhal highlighted the challenge of transforming Uttar Pradesh from a “feudal, agri-based society” into one that encourages risk-taking and wealth creation.

The launch saw participation from several senior legislators including Sidharth Nath Singh (Prayagraj), Mahesh Gupta (Badaun), Manish Asija (Firozabad), Ritesh Gupta (Moradabad), Purushottam Khandelwal (Agra Uttar), Pankaj Gupta (Unnao), Anupama Jaiswal (Bahraich), Anil Parashar (Aligarh), Eng. Awanish Singh (Lucknow), Dr. Sudhir Gupta (MLC, Pilibhit), Vinay Verma (Hapur), Rajiv Gaumbar (Saharanpur), Manish Rawat (Sitapur), Vipin Verma David (Etah), Neelima Katiyar (Kalyanpur), Ajay Singh (Basti) and Prateek Bhusan (Gonda).

Past FISME presidents V.K. Agarwal and Neeraj Kedia also attended the event.