Ludhiana/Chandigarh, January 12:
Punjab Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal today launched the One Time Settlement (OTS) scheme for the recovery of outstanding dues 2021, to clear and settle their pending arrears. Manpreet Singh Badal said that the performance of the other ministries reflects that of the Finance Ministry. “Despite the Covid-19 pandemic and centre’s stoppage of Punjab’s share of GST and RDF, the State has not gone into overdraft” revealed the FM adding that Punjab especially Ludhiana have it in them to further rise up the ladder of economic progress which is due to the hardworking nature of the Punjabi community whose trust reposed in the Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh led Government would never be broken.
Manpreet Singh Badal said this while chairing a state-level function organised regarding the OTS Scheme at Dr Manmohan Singh Auditorium at Punjab Agricultural University, here today. He was also accompanied by Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs Minister Bharat Bhushan Ashu, PWD Minister Vijay Inder Singla, PPCB President Sunil Jakhar, besides several others.
While taking an aim at the Union government, Badal said that the partisan attitude of the Union Government towards Punjab is evident from the fact out of the three food parks to be developed by the UAE in India, none was given to Punjab although the UAE Government had clearly evinced keen interest in setting up the same in the State, revealed the FM.
Coming to the OTS policy, he further added that the 47000 traders would be benefitted by the new OTS policy okayed by the State Government. About Budha Nullah rejuvenation project, to ensure the smooth running of this Rs 650 crore project, the Punjab government has already deposited Rs. 320 crore in the MC bank account to ensure smooth running of project for next 10 years.
While inaugurating the Common Facility Centre by Ludhiana Oil Expellers and Parts Manufacturing Association, Manpreet Singh Badal said that the Ludhiana Oil Expeller & Parts Manufacturers Cluster would also prove to be a game changer for the State, and further exhorted all to contribute as sons of the soil towards the welfare and betterment of Punjab.
President PPCC Sunil Jakhar said that the basic approach of the Chief Minister and the Finance Minister is towards finding the solution to the problems with removing red-tapism in the clearance to the industrial projects which has proved a morale booster to the industry. Taking on the Central Government, he expressed surprise that the agricultural policies are being framed by those who knowing nothing about the agriculture. Nearly, 2000 amendments have been made till date in the GST regime which was touted by the Centre as its most shining initiative, revealed PPCC President.
Emphasising on identifying the core strengths and weaknesses of the State’s industry, he said that despite the Central Government holding onto Rs. 8000 crore GST share and RDF share more than Rs. 1000 crore, the State Government is committed to further propelling the industrial sector of Punjab towards prosperity.
Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister and Ludhiana West MLA Bharat Bhushan Ashu said that Ludhiana would be witness to the rapid urban development in keeping with the poll promises as mentioned in the manifesto of the Congress party. He also thanked the Finance Minister for sanctioning Rs. 600 crore projects aimed at the acceleration of Ludhiana on road to prosperity. Vowing to transform the ‘Budha Nullah’ into ‘Budha Darya’, he also said that the other gift of the Captain Amarinder Singh Government is the One Time Settlement (OTS) scheme which would give much needed boost to the industrial units of the city who have braved the trying times of Covid-19.
“I also indebted to the industry of Ludhiana especially Hosiery and Cycle industries in ensuring the numero uno status of Ludhiana on the scale of progress”, said the Minister.
Joining through Video Conferencing from Jalandhar, the Industries and Commerce Minister Sunder Sham Arora apprised that at the time of taking over the reins of the State, the Punjab Government under the leadership of Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh, promised to transform Punjab into an industrial powerhouse, which has been largely fulfilled. Divulging more, he said that Rs. 71000 crore new investments have been realised, 270000 people got employment, Rs. 411 crores being spent on cycle valley in Ludhiana, 17 focal points in the entire State developed at the cost of Rs. 146 crore with Rs. 40 crore being spent on Ludhiana alone. Textile industry prepared kits got orders worth Rs. 300 crore to supply masks and kits during Covid pandemic which gave jobs to scores of labourers.
School Education and PWD Minister Vijay Inder Singla said that today is a big occasion for the small businessmen of the State which have always thrived during Congress rule. Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh has ensured new investment and relief to the industrial sector. Whether it’s big or small, Captain Amarinder Singh led Government would always give priority to development and prosperity to the sector as it is closely connected with the development of Punjab. Lauding PAU, he pointed out that the institution was the pro-genitor of the Industrial revolution for which the State would always be indebted to the August institution.
General Secretary CICU Pankaj Sharma pointed out that Punjab has seen the ease of doing business and speedy clearances of projects during present dispensation with 60 clearances granted in one go. He also lauded the immense contribution of Bharat Bhushan Ashu in ensuring that the development centric projects concerning Ludhiana are always accorded priority as the city has emerged as the hub of industry on a global scale.
Chairman, Hero Cycle Industries Pankaj Munjal elaborated about cycle business and said that the Covid-19 pandemic lead to people becoming aware about their Health concerns which saw surge in cycle market. He also disclosed that world over, cycle market accounts for Rs. 4 lakh crore worth share. Out of the 15 million bicycles built in India and 95 percent in Punjab which comes to worth Rs. 10,000 crores. In London too, we have opened our unit.
Noted industrialist Radhey Sham Ahuja expressed gratitude to the Finance Minister for getting the inspection system off the back of small industries through promulgation of OTS scheme. A total of 40000 such units would be benefitted by this pathbreaking step. Similar thoughts were expressed by another famous industrialist Narinder Singh Saggu and Darshan Davar.
Prominent among those present on the occasion included MLAs Surinder Dawar, Sanjeev Talwar, Kuldeep Singh Vaid, Ex Minister Malkit Singh Dakha, Political Secretary to CM Captain Sandeep Singh Sandhu, Mayor Balkar Singh Sandhu, LIT Chairman Raman Balasubramaniam, Vice Chancellor of PAU Baldev Singh Dhillon, Chairman Punjab Youth Development Board Sukhwinder Singh Bindra, Chairman PSIDC Krishan Kumar Bawa, Chairman PMIDB Amarjit Singh Tikka, Chairman Punjab State Safai Karamchari Commission Geja Ram Valmiki, DCC Ludhiana (Urban) President Ashwani Sharma, Zila Parishad chairman Yadwinder Singh Jandiali, Financial Commissioner Taxation A Venu Prasad, Taxation Commissioner Nilkanth S Avhad, Senior Congress leaders Kamaljit Singh Karwal, Satwinder Kaur Bitti, District Youth Congress president Yogesh Handa, Leena Taparia, Director Local Bodies AK Sinha, Deputy Commissioner Varinder Kumar Sharma, Commissioner of Police Rakesh Agrawal, MC Commissioner Pardeep Kumar Sabharwal, Vice Chairman Backfinco Mohd Gulab, besides several others were also present on the occasion.
