Ludhiana, ( Gurvinder Sidhu)
Punjab’s Cabinet Minister Sh. Sanjeev Arora today visited the Chamber of Industrial & Commercial Undertakings (CICU) at its Focal Point Complex in Ludhiana for a high-level interaction with industry representatives, where he announced a series of major decisions—both approved and in the pipeline—aimed at accelerating industrial growth and strengthening the ease of doing business ecosystem across the state.
Welcoming the Minister, CICU President Sh. Upkar Singh Ahuja expressed gratitude for the Punjab Government’s consistent support and industry-friendly reforms. He highlighted several key interventions that have facilitated the resolution of long-pending PSIEC issues, including OTS, fragmentation cases, leasehold-to-freehold conversions, stamp duty rationalization, simplified power connection procedures, Fast Track Portal for rapid approvals, and the expanded scope of the Punjab Right to Business Act 2.0.
During his address, the Hon’ble Minister unveiled several impactful initiatives. He announced that a new Freehold Policy for PSIEC will soon be launched to settle decades-old ownership issues of industrial plots. He further declared the establishment of two world-class Exhibition Centres in Ludhiana and Mohali, which will position Punjab as a major hub for industrial exhibitions, trade fairs, and global business events.
Reinforcing growing investor confidence, Minister Arora shared that leading industrial houses—including Vardhman Special Steels, Trident, Happy Forgings, IOL Limited, Infosys, Veera Beverages, Fortis, and multiple MSMEs—are undertaking substantial new investments in Punjab. He also assured industry members that the Government will resolve issues pertaining to waiver of fixed electricity charges during the COVID period.
Additional key announcements included:
Job fairs across rural Punjab to support industry’s manpower requirements
A new policy for Un-Authorized User Charges
Construction of twelve new 66 kV substations to upgrade power infrastructure
Establishment of a new industrial police station at Focal Point for enhanced security
Amendments to building by-laws in line with industry needs
CICU representatives also submitted several crucial concerns to the Minister, including:
Need for structured solid waste management in Focal Point areas
Rationalization of groundwater usage charges
Review of unauthorized user charge notices issued on the basis of full connected load
Alignment of MICE incentives under IBDP-2022
Expedited clearance of pending industrial incentives, including SGST reimbursements and ED exemptions
Prominent industrialists—including Onkar Pahwa, Mridula Jain, Ajit Lakra, Subhash Bajaj, K K Garg, Bassi, Ram Lubaya, Akhil Seth, Rahul Ahuja and others—praised Minister Arora for his swift response, proactive approach, and ability to simultaneously address issues related to industries, power, pollution, municipal governance, law and order, and health. The Minister also assured the gathering that the long-awaited Halwara Airport project will soon materialize.
CICU extended its formal thanks to Cabinet Minister Sanjeev Arora for his industry-focused leadership, proactive engagement, and assurance of time-bound resolution of pending matters. The announcements made during the meeting underscore the Government’s strong commitment toward developing robust infrastructure, promoting investment, and nurturing a supportive and competitive industrial environment across Punjab.
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