Arvind Kejriwal on the launch of FastTrack Portal

SAS Nagar (Mohali), June 10: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Tuesday urged the Industrialists to take full advantage of the Fasttrack Portal. This will help Punjab emerge as an industrial hub of the country.

Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said that FastTrack Punjab Portal will ensure all the approvals to the investors within 45 days of application. He added that it is the backbone of a re-imagined industrial governance model. He reiterated that these reforms are not the end rather they are the beginning of a movement, a movement where ease of doing business becomes a culture, not a slogan. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that Punjab has always been a land of courage, enterprise, and resilience. Now, it stands ready to lead India’s industrial resurgence with the same spirit.

The Chief Minister said that in the last three years the state government has taken a number of initiatives to benefit every section of the society. He said that hitherto the Industrialists were considered as ATMs which can shelve money during the elections. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the industrialists used to fund the traditional parties for just securing the right to work, so that they do not face any harassment.

The Chief Minister said that after assuming power his government has taken several key initiatives to facilitate the industrialists. He said that Punjab became the first state in the country to launch unique color coded stamp papers, to facilitate the entrepreneurs for setting up their units in the state thereby giving much needed fillip to industrial growth. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that this revolutionary step promotes ease of doing business for entrepreneurs who wish to set up their units in the state.

The Chief Minister stated that any industrialist keen on setting up an industrial unit in the state has an option. They can get a unique colour coded stamp paper. Any industrialist who wants to establish an industrial unit can obtain this stamp paper. They can obtain it from the Invest Punjab Portal. He said that industrialists will have to just pay various fees required for getting clearances in form of CLU, forest, Pollution, Fire and other to set up his unit while purchasing this single stamp paper only. Bhagwant Mann said that after purchasing the stamp paper, the industrialist will get all the necessary clearances from all the departments within 15 days to set up his unit adding that several states are also asking the state to replicate it.

The Chief Minister said, “We framed the policies for the industry as per industrialists’ needs to facilitate them. We delivered whatever the industry demanded from the state government at the earliest to support the industry.”Bhagwant Singh Mann said that this is also the need of the hour. It is necessary to boost economic activity in the region. The motive is to make Punjab an industrial hub.

The Chief Minister said that the state government had inherited a system when the industry from the state was fleeing to other states. He said that the industries were fed up from the extortion system that prevailed in the state during the tenure of the previous regimes. However, Bhagwant Singh Mann stated that his government has restored the faith of industrialists. They have done this by providing an industrial-friendly atmosphere. The government has also ensured a good law and order situation.

The Chief Minister said that the state has the best law and order situation in the country. This is why industries are coming in a big way. He said that this contrasts with the past. During previous regimes, the leaders used to seek shares in the ventures.Bhagwant Singh Mann said that earlier, the political families in power signed the MoUs. Now, the government signs these agreements for the progress and prosperity of the state.

The Chief Minister said that earlier such summits were held in the state. However, Punjab never benefited from them. The leaders were interested in their personal interests. He said that these leaders had a myopic mindset. They uprooted even the ornamental trees planted here to welcome the industrialists. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that these leaders never bothered about the well-being of any section of the society.They prioritized their own interests instead.

The Chief Minister said that a single window and single pen system has been introduced. This is to facilitate the industrialists. It enables them to work freely. He said that the industrialists who work here create more employment opportunities thereby propelling industrial growth in the state. Bhagwant Singh Mann said this is essential. It provides momentum for the state’s development and ensures the prosperity of its people.

The Chief Minister said that unlike in the past, no one will harass the industrialists. Instead, the state government will make every effort to promote and encourage the industry. He said that the state government has already taken steps to provide a single window system. “This initiative aims to facilitate the industry. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the government is implementing it with real zeal to ensure comprehensive development of the industrial sector.”

The Chief Minister stated that the state government will make concerted efforts to safeguard the existing industrial units. It will also promote and expand them. He said that the industrialists have played a key role in the socio-economic growth of the country. Bhagwant Mannn said that these industries have carved a niche for them across the globe. The state government will make every effort to ensure that their interests are safeguarded.

The Chief Minister said that he wants to provide employment to youth. He aims to replace syringes and the menace of other drugs with tiffins in their hands. He mentioned Idle hands are the devil’s workshop. The state government is trying its best to ensure that maximum youth get jobs. This will prevent them from falling prey to social menaces. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that unemployment is the root cause of several social problems. Therefore, the state government is focusing on eradicating this malady by promoting industrialization.

On the occasion Cabinet Ministers Harpal Singh Cheema and Tarunpreet Singh Sondh along with others were also present.