In a major setback to Baba Ramdev’s ambition to expand his herbal business operation across the country, the Arunachal Pradesh government has cancelled Patanjali group’s planned development of a food park in the state. As per sources, there was a plan to develop food park in 189 acres area and for this an MoU was also signed between the Arunachal Pradesh government and the Ramdev-backed Patanjali group sometime in 2017. But it was cancelled because the land which was earmarked for the project fell in the forest area.

Though this sudden development has raised several eyebrows with experts asking if the said land, where Patanjali promoted food park was to come, belonged to the forest then why the agreement was signed between the two sides. Arunachal Pradesh is known for its forests, rocks and pristine beauty. Though the cancellation of the food park project has not come into public domain as yet but some experts say, not only chances of making the Northeastern state a hub of herbal goods would be jeopardized but also employment opportunity would be killed as the planned park could have generated for hundreds of people in the state.

Some people also connect the development with the Yog guru's open criticism of the Narendra Modi government on employment and other issues. Notably, Arunachal Pradesh is headed by the BJP government.