Chouhan was on two-day tour of United Kingdom. He went to England on the invite of UK’s secretary of state for international development, Preeti Patel, to study the concept of Smart City, management techniques and skill development works.

Chouhan also met experts of Smart City management. Among others, he met chiefs of various investment companies interested in investing in the state, as well as Hinduja Group’s co-chairperson, Gopichand Hinduja, to discuss automobiles, agro-business, food processing, renewable energy, smart city management and integrated Industrial Township.

Chouhan met India-UK Health Institute’s chairman, Professor Mike Parker, and International Trade department, UK, chief executive officer, Dr Ajay Gupta and Mike Nithakriyansis. Chouhan also called on London’s deputy mayor, Rajesh Agarwal. He also addressed a seminar on ‘Investment Possibilities in Madhya Pradesh’, which was organised under the aegis of Indian Industry Federation and UK-India Business Council.

It may be mentioned here that sometime earlier, Chouhan had banned opening of new liquor factories in the state but the High Court had permitted some liquor manufacturers, who were given permission earlier, to set up their factories. The state government did not appeal to the Supreme Court against the decision. With Chouhan’s meeting with liquor manufacturers, it is believed that the government will permit setting up of new liquor factories in the state.

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister's frequent visits to foreign countries have evoked adverse comments not only from opposition ranks but also from his party men including some legislators. Critics also include Sartaj Singh, who was asked to resign from the state cabinet because his age was more than 75 years.

Sartaj said that instead of globe-trotting in the name of GIS, atmosphere conducive to investment should be created in the state. That would draw investors automatically. Attempts should be made that investors are not harassed by officers.

Sartaj had, earlier, launched an attack on the government on the issue of mining. Earlier, former chief minister Babulal Gaur too had attacked the government on Metro project and bureaucracy.

Interestingly, Sartaj Singh and Babulal Gaur have started finding faults in the government functioning after losing their ministerial berths. They did not find any faults when they were in power. Sartaj during his tenure as minister was in-charge of important departments like public works and forests. Similarly, Gaur was head of industries, urban administration and home departments from time to time. They had no qualms when they were in power but now they have begun to see faults in the working of the same government.

There is general feeling that despite several foreign tours not much investment has been made by foreign industrialists. One of the reasons for this is the lukewarm attitude of the bureaucracy. This fact was admitted by the Chief Minister himself. While addressing a joint meet of ministers and officers. He conveyed his annoyance over industries department's failure to implement single window system. Chouhan said policy of effective single window system should be implemented. Chouhan told Industries department, principal secretary, Mohd Suleiman that “You may be satisfied with the working of existing single window system but I am not”. He said single window system should be implemented before Global Investors Summit (GIS) to be held in Indore in the third week of October 2016.

Chouhan directed department of micro and small industries to implement single window system before MSME convention held on October 1 and 2.

Before leaving for London Chouhan also visited Hyderabad and Bengluru and urged industrialists to invest in Madhya Pradesh.

Chouhan in his address said single table concept has been adopted in the state considering comprehensive possibilities of investment in the state. Every Monday chief minister and industries minister will meet with investors and top officers to discuss investment proposals and take decisions.

Chouhan invited industrialists and office bearers of companies for Global Investors Summit to be held in October at Indore.

Chouhan said state government is focusing more on industries. A venture capital fund of Rs 100 crore has been set up, changes in policies for the facility of investors has been made. Chouhan said the chief minister of the state is not only CM but CEO also. “Industrial development is our top priority and we wish to spread a network of industries,” he said.

The CM exhorted the industrialists and office bearers of companies to invest in the state and set up industries. He assured to provide every possible help to investors.

Tata Advance System, aero-space head, Masood Hussain said his team will soon tour across the state. Megha Engineering’s V Shrinivas Reddy discussed on possibilities of manufacturing of water pipes and pumps in the state. Pharmamexil Company’s director general PV Appaji, Navyug Construction's Ravi Raju, Apollo Hospital Enterprise’s president Dr K Hariprasad and Dr Haribabu of Mylon Laboratories Ltd met the CM.

Meanwhile, preparations are afoot for the industrial summit which is to be held in Indore in the third week of October. More than 600 industrialists and potential investors are likely to attend Indore summit. A good number of foreign entrepreneurs are also expected to attend. Earlier such summits have been held in Indore. Despite several summits not much capital has been invested in Madhya Pradesh. (IPA Service)