– Announces complete refund of VAT by the end of this year
– Describes industry as backbone of the state’s economy
– Industrialists hails new industrial policy
Jalandhar : In a major step to give a big push towards the ease of doing business in the state , the Punjab government has launched a “Business First Portal” which was unveiled by Industry Minister Mr. Sunder Sham Arora here today. 
Addressing the industrialists here today after launching the portal, the Minister said that online Portal would facilitate the industrialists for Regulatory Clearances and Fiscal Approvals , real time tracking of applications at common platform. He said that under the visionary and dynamic leadership of chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh the Punjab government has decided to accelerate economic growth by providing liberal incentives to the entrepreneurs under new Industrial Policy, which would be implemented soon. Mr Arora also said that the governments has taken path breaking initiatives like District level approvals for micro industry by the committee under deputy commissioner upto Rs. 10 crore . It would not only facilitate the traders by saving their time but also not required to travel to Chandigarh for minor approvals , he added.
Terming the new portal as one step solution for industrialists, the minister has also said that Regulatory clearances of all other departments would be integrated in the portal . He said that Self access facility for the applicants have also been provided in the portal for the traders at first time on which applicants would be able to examine their application and enclosed documents.
The Minister said that the state government was committed for ensuring 100% VAt refund to industrialists by the end of this year. He said that the entire VAT refund would be given to the industrialists by releasing instalment worth Rs 300 crore to them after every two months. Mr Arora said that no stone would be left unturned to facilitate the industrialists in getting their refund, which has been lingering on from last many years, back.
Describing the industry as backbone of the state’s economy, the Minister said that every problem of industrialists would be solved on top priority. He said that the jobs under Ghar Ghar Naukri flagship program of state government could be accomplished only if industry was developed. Mr Arora said that the state government was committed for ensuring holistic development of the industry in the state.
In his address Lok Sabha MP from Jalandhar Chaudhary Santokh Singh lauded the Punjab government led by Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh for unveiling a historic industrial policy for economic growth of the state. He urged the Industry Minister to immediately resolve the issues flagged by local industrialists.
Earlier addressing the gathering Secretary Industry and Director Mr Rakesh Verma and Mr DPS Kharbanda informed the industry members that the State had identified 22 industrial clusters for development of Common Facility Centers in the State. This includes three clusters at Jalandhar, namely the Auto Parts Cluster, Printing & Packaging Cluster and the Surgical Instruments Cluster, whose detailed study reports have already been approved.
Industry leaders of Jalandhar, while speaking on the occasion welcomed the Hon’ble Minister to the city, famous for its sports, leather & hand tools manufacturing & export Industries and shared their wish list and concerns. In addition Industry leaders from the surgical goods, food products, rubber products, auto parts & vehicle body building Industry also spoke and sought greater facilitation from the Govt. especially from the regulatory departments. They also lauded the state government for pro-industrial policy.
They sought the development of Dhogri industrial point, easy bank loans on which the minister has assured the face lift of Dhogri industrial point .
10 MOUs were also signed on the occasion with investment of over Rs. 46.50 crores, including HB Global (10 crore ) , Krone disperse Pvt limited 10 crore , Parveen Bakers 6 crore , Vinson exim 6 crore , Singh brothers 5 crore , Dee Ess industries 5 crore, India Nut Bolt industries 2.5 crore and Unique overseas 2 crore .
.Prominent amongst present on the occasion included MLAs Sushil Kumar Rinku, Mr Rajinder Beri, Chaudhary Surinder singh , Mr Hardev singh Ladi Sherowalia and Mr Avtar singh junior , Rajinder Beri , President DIstrict Congress Mr Daljeet singh Ahluwalia , Principal secretary Industry R.K Verma , Deputy commissioner Varinder Kumar sharma, Director Industries Mr DPS Kharbanda and others.
