ASSERTS THAT AS CUSTODIAN OF THE STATE HE IS COMMITTED FOR WELFARE OF EVERY SECTION OF THE SOCIETY
GIVES CLARION CALL TO TRADERS AND INDUSTRIALISTS TO BECOME ACTIVE PARTNERS IN SOCIO-ECONOMIC PROGRESS OF THE STATE
ANNOUNCES TO PROVIDE HEALTH COVER TO TRADERS WITH ANNUAL TURNOVER OF RS 2 CRORE AGAINST EXISTING RS 1 CRORE
SAYS INDUSTRY ADVISORY COMMISSION WILL BE SET UP WITH CHAIRMAN OF CABINET RANK
Mukerian (Hoshiarpur), February 24 (Punjab khabarnama) : Vowing to ensure the holistic development of every strata of the society, the Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh on Saturday embarked first of its kind Sarkaar Vpaar Milni to resolve the issues being faced by the trading community of the state.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said that this first of its kind initiative is aimed at ensuring the well being of the trading community. He said that this is a step forward for restoring the pristine glory of the state by giving fillip to its economic development. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the industry and trade is the backbone of the economy of every state due to which it must be given an impetus.
The Chief Minister further said that revenue and employment generation is a circle which is pivotal for development of the state. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that he had visited the several big cities like Mumbai, Chennai and others to invite the industrialists for setting up their ventures. He said that gone are the days when those in power used to demand their share in the projects as now the entire focus is on development of the state.
The Chief Minister said that so far investments worth Rs 70,000 crore have been firmed up in the state with leading companies like Tata Steel, Sanatan Textiles and others making a beeline to invest in the state. He said that likewise the state government is duty bound to safeguard the interests of the local industry adding that they are the real brand ambassadors of the state. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the state government is committed to ensure that these companies expand their businesses in the state.
The Chief Minister said that the state has best law and order situation in the country due to which industries are coming in a big way. He said that this is contrary to the situation when during previous regimes the leaders used to seek shares in the ventures. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that earlier the MoUs were signed with the political families in the power but now these agreements are signed for progress and prosperity of the state.
The Chief Minister said that he is the custodian of all the rights and interests of the Punjabis due to which his every action is aimed at welfare of every section of the society. He said that unfortunately those leaders who had remained in power in the state, earlier, had amassed huge wealth by ruining the state. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that these leaders had interest in transport, education, health and other sectors due to which they ignored the welfare of people adding that there was conflict of interest of these leaders due to which they gave preference to their own vested interests.
The Chief Minister gave a clarion call to the traders to work wholeheartedly for progress and prosperity of the state. He exhorted the traders and industrialists to become partners in the ongoing revolution to usher in a new era of economic prosperity for the state. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the state government has already prepared a blueprint of upgrading the infrastructure in the focal points and SEZs besides ensuring security in the industrial areas by setting up special Police posts.
The Chief Minister said that the era of harassment of the industry and traders is over and the state government will now act as a facilitator to them. He said that unlike in the past no one will harass the industrialists rather the state government will make every effort to promote and encourage the industry. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that this is being implemented in real zeal to ensure comprehensive development of the industrial sector.
The Chief Minister said that the state government will make concerted efforts for safeguarding, promoting and expanding the existing industrial units in the state. He said that the industrialists have played a key role in the socio-economic growth of the country. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that these industries have carved a niche for them across the globe and the state government will make every effort to ensure that their interests are safeguarded.
The Chief Minister said that the state government has introduced unique colour coded stamp papers, which is a step forward towards ushering a new era of Industrial Revolution in the state. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that Punjab is the first state to introduce green colored stamp papers to facilitate the entrepreneurs for setting up their units thereby giving much needed fillip to industrial growth of the state. He described it as a revolutionary step aimed at promoting ease of doing business for the entrepreneurs desirous of setting up their units in the state.
The Chief Minister said that this is not a political rally but it is the next phase of the Sarkaar Sannatkar Milni that was earlier started by the state government. He said that the state government is making concerted efforts for promoting the Food Processing industry in the state adding that traders will be immensely benefitted from the various decisions being made by the state government. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that since this is a national highway, the Mukerian Civil Hospital will be equipped with the facility of trauma centre and other facilities.
The Chief Minister said that the state government had scripted a new success story by purchasing Goindwal power plant earlier owned by a private company GVK Power at a cost of Rs 1080 crore. He said that for the first time a reverse trend was witnessed in the state as the government purchased a private power plant whereas in the past the state governments used to sell their assets to the favorite individuals at ‘throw away’ prices. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that this power plant is the cheapest purchase made by any state/private company as other power plants like Korba West, Jhabua Power and Lanco Amarkantak of capacity 600 MW have been purchased at Rs 1804 crore, Rs 1910 crore and Rs 1818 crore respectively.
The Chief Minister said that the Punjab government has purchased this 540 MW power plant at Rs 2 crore per MW adding that Power plant has been renamed as Sri Guru Amardass Thermal Power plant after the third Sikh Guru. He said that as coal from Pachwara coal mine, allotted to Punjab, can be used only for government power plants so with purchase of this power plant this coal can be aptly utilized for producing power to provide it to every sector of the state. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that this purchase will help in reduction in overall Tariff by over Rs. 1 per unit and it will lead to Savings of Rs. 300- 350 crores on power purchase thereby benefiting the consumers of the state.
The Chief Minister said that due to strenuous efforts of the state government 90% households of the state are getting free power. However, he said that with this step the way has been paved for giving cheap power even to the industrialist and trade sector in the coming times. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that this is the need of hour to give boost to the economic prosperity of the state by giving boost to industrial development.
The Chief Minister slammed the Union government for stalling the funds under RDF and NHM thereby jeopardizing the development of the state. He said that funds worth more than Rs 8000 crore have been unfairly blocked by the Union government, which is grave injustice with the state. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the Union government must be taught a befitting lesson by routing them out in the ensuing Lok Sabha polls.
Quoting verse ‘Pawan Guru, Paani Pitaah, Mata Dharat Mahat’ from Gurbani, the Chief Minister said that the great Gurus have equated air (pawan) with teacher, water (paani) with father and land (dharat) with mother. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that now the time has come when we must imbibe the teachings of Gurbani in our lives for restoring the pristine glory of the state by resolving to save the environment of the state. He said that the state government will leave no stone unturned for this noble cause adding that the industrialists and traders should support the state government in it.
The Chief Minister announced that contrary to earlier, the traders with turnover of around Rs 2 crore will now be eligible for Health insurance cover. Likewise, he said that the state government will also raise the issue of upgrading BBMB hospital with the authorities and ensure quality treatment to people. Bhagwant Singh Mann also announced to upgrade the infrastructure in mandis across the state on modern lines adding that all out efforts will be made for the welfare of the traders and industries.
The Chief Minister also announced that the state government will soon set up an Industry Advisory Commission with chairman of Cabinet Rank. He said that this commission will have members from various sectors and industries so that the problems of the industry are resolved at the earliest. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that it will help a lot in ensuring smooth redressal of all the grievances of the industry and traders.
Earlier, the Local Government Minister Balkar Singh welcomed the Chief Minister on the occasion.
On the occasion, the Chief Secretary Anurag Verma said that the state government has launched e-mail ID punjabconsultation@gmail.com and helpline number 8194891948, where the traders can flag their issues.
