Muktsar, November 10
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal today said the next SAD government would give incentives to new units by allowing them to retain GST besides putting an end to Inspector Raj and supplying power to industry at Rs five per unit.
Addressing hugely successful interactive sessions with the trade and industry at Malout and Muktsar, the SAD president said “this government has not only failed the trade and industry but has overseen the flight of capital from Punjab and even failed to get any new investment for the State. We are committed to creating a congenial atmosphere for trade and industry in the State”.
He said as part of this, the next SAD government would give a fillip to the medium and small scale industry and encourage new investment. He also announced that fixed charges on the industrial sector, especially seasonal industry, would be removed altogether and power would be supplied to industry at Rs five per unit. Mr Badal also announced that no official would be allowed to enter any industrial unit and that harassment of traders and industrialists at the hands of Inspectors and GST officials would be put to an end. “We will bring in lump sum taxation by reviving the Rahat scheme to make this possible”, he added.
Asserting that all this was possible if they made the right choice, the SAD president said “you must make a right decision on who is your choice for the next chief minister. You must choose someone who knows your problems and has a proven track record. One wrong decision could result in wasting five more years”. He urged the trade and industry to analyze the work done by the erstwhile SAD government with the subsequent Congress and present AAP government. “If the SAD has made Punjab power surplus, created a world class road network, built airports and brought in investment into the State, then you should bring in a SAD government in the next elections”, he added.
Meanwhile Parminder Singh Khuddian of the Arhtiya Association spoke on how besides reduction in commission, Arhtiyas were facing harassment at the hands of transport contractors. He also highlighted how they were not being reimbursed for labour charges incurred by them. The SAD president assured that the next SAD government would ensure that their demand for 2.5 per cent commission as earlier was acceded to. Mr Badal also assured that the next SAD government would accord top priority to timely lifting and creation of storage capacity to store food grains.
Lakhbir Singh Khuddian of the Agricultural Implements Association, Robinpreet Brar of Builders and Colonizers Association, Jaspal Singh Jassa of the Goldsmith Association and Satnam Singh of the Focal Point Association also raised their issues with Mr Sukhbir Badal. The SAD president assured that all problems of GST, CLU charges and NOC would be solved by establishing a Build Punjab department on the pattern of the Invest Punjab department established by the erstwhile SAD led government. He also announced that for all irregular colonies a one-time settlement scheme would be introduced and that development charges as well as bank guarantees would be rationalized.
He also assured the Pesticides Association that they would not be held accountable for poor quality of pesticides or seeds sold by them and that action would be taken against the manufacturer alone. He also assured Goldsmiths that they would not be subjected to harassment from the police. He also assured that GST returns would be streamlined.
Senior leaders Harpreet Singh Kotbhai and Kanwarjit Singh Rozy Barkandi besides Punjab Beopar Mandal president Amit Kapoor and Mohit Gupta were also present on the occasion.
