Industry growing in Punjab, says Deputy CM Sukhbir Singh Badal

LUDHIANA: Positioning Punjab as a business-friendly state, Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal today said it is the first state in India to adopt a one-stop approval window and the bureau of investment promotion has cleared 180 projects since its inception.

The industry is expanding in the state because of such pro-industry policies, he stated after inaugurating Rs 200 crore Vadhman steel plant here.

"Punjab is the first state in the country to adopt one-stop clearance by setting up Punjab Bureau of Investment Promotion for the investors to set up new industries," Badal said.

The bureau has cleared 180 projects since its inception and all clearances were being given within a month, he added.

The setting up of the new plant by Vardhman group is an outcome of 'Invest Punjab Summit' organised by the SAD-BJP government.

Earlier interacting with industrialists, he announced that Ludhiana would have ultra modern and economical Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) in place of Ludhiana Metro Rail project very soon.

After consultation with international experts, the Punjab government had now decided to introduce BRTS in place of Metro Rail, he said, adding that some other states have also shelved metro rail projects and have adopted BRTS.

Unveiling the 'Rahat' scheme launched by the state government, he appealed to traders to adopt this scheme.

He said that the traders, having Rahat Card, would have to file self-declaration on a single page application for registration and could run their trade without keeping record books, and no excise official would inspect their premises.

Badal also invited traders to come to Chandigarh next week so that their grievances could be resolved in the presence of concerned officers.

The Deputy CM claimed that Punjab had already achieved the status of power surplus state and from next year there would not be any shortage of coal.

"Thermal plant at Goindwal Sahib is complete and it will start getting power supply shortly as the Centre is formulating a national policy for the same," Badal said.

Taking the administrative reforms a step forward, Punjab Deputy Chief Minister also asserted that by July 2015 more than 249 citizen centric services would be provided online through 2,174 Sewa Kendras being set up in villages and towns and residents need not visit any government office.

Stating Punjab would be the first state in the country implementing online services, Badal assured that administrative reforms would be completed within next two years to provide hassle-free services to the citizens.

On a question related to Ashutosh Maharaj, the Deputy CM said the state government would abide by the decision of Punjab and Haryana High Court.