Lucknow, Dec 4 (IANS): The Uttar Pradesh government has decided to issue 'Golden Cards' to industrialists and industrial associations for easy access to its offices. But the business community called it "old wine in new bottle".

"The Golden Card facility is part of the larger endeavour of creating an industry-friendly environment in Uttar Pradesh," Infrastructure and Industrial Development commissioner Anil Kumar Gupta said Tuesday.

"Industrialists and prospective investors have to regularly visit government offices for getting information on proposals and sorting out problems. This measure will make their entry easy."

A Golden Card will be like an identity (ID) card with the holder's photo. It will allow entry of industrialists to the state secretariat and government departments on priority basis without hurdles.

The right to visit card will be treated at par with ID cards issued by the secretariat.

The cardholder's issues too will be taken up on priority basis and resolved in time-bound manner.

The facility will be available to state presidents and general secretaries of national-level industrial associations such as the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII), PHD Chamber of Commerce & Industry (PHDCCI), Indian Industries Association (IIA), Associated Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Assocham) and Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI). The cards will also be issued to national presidents of these associations on demand.

A maximum of two cards will be allowed per association while state-level industrial associations will be allowed one card each.

Reputed investors, who propose to invest more Rs.200 crore in Uttar Pradesh, will also be issued the cards. Promoters of such projects or their nominated representative will be able to avail this facility.

A maximum of two cards will be permitted per unit or group of such units.

To avail this facility, applications will have to be submitted at the Udyog Bandhu office, which will issue the cards after verification.

The business establishment is however not amused at the new scheme.

Kiron Chopra, a prominent exporter, said the card had been in place for a decade now though the scheme was discontinued by the previous government.

"These cards provide us with easy access and have been with us for almost a decade now and are in fact to be renewed," he said.