Ludhiana, November 17
The World MSME Forum has informed Punjab Industry Minister Sanjeev Arora about the problems faced by the industries. The World MSME Forum president Badish Jindal met Arora and apprised him of the problems faced by industries.
The key issues discussed include allowing the steel industry to run on 100 per cent on solar power. Arora was requested that due to expensive electricity in Punjab, steel prices are Rs 3,000 per ton higher than in eastern states. Therefore, if the steel industry is allowed to run on solar power, the cost of electricity would be Rs 2.50 per unit. This could reduce steel prices by up to Rs 3,000 per ton. It was also demanded that industries currently merely allowed to produce and consume 33 per cent solar power of their total installed capacity. Therefore, the steel industry should be considered a special category and authorized to use 100 per cent solar power of their installed capacity. This will also benefit thousands of steel-consuming industries in Punjab.
The Industry Minister, who also holds the Renewable Energy portfolio, stated that the government has already committed to maximizing solar power generation in Punjab and will consider the request of association to allow upto 100 per cent solar power to the state’s steel industries.
The Industry Minister was informed that currently, a 22-foot revenue road is mandatory for setting up an industry. Currently, industrial plots have 30 to 70 feet of private road, but due to connection with revenue road, they face difficulties in obtaining the Change of Land Use certificate. Therefore, if the government approves 22 ft private road in the policy, then industries will be allowed to set up. Industries in Industrial zones,
An investigation was demanded into the GLADA’s condition to vacate 100 ft land for setting up any industry on the bank of Sidhwan Canal, whereas the Municipal Corporation is not imposing any such conditions for industries along the Sidhwan Canal.
The Industry Minister assured that the government will consider the request for approving private roads for land change. The industry department will investigate the condition of GLADA regarding vacating 100 foot for setting up industry on bank of Sidhwan Canal.
Regarding issues related to the Punjab Small Industries and Export Corporation, Arora was informed that PSIEC had requested applications for the restoration of the cancelled plots. Industries submitted 300 applications to PSIEC, but only 20 had been approved so far. The Industry Minister called department officials on the spot and ordered to clear all application by the end of this month.
The Industry Minister was also informed that the fees charged under the PSIEC freehold industrial plots scheme is too high and should be reduced. The Industry Minister stated that a scheme to freehold PSIEC industrial plots will be launched soon. Under this scheme, plots will be made freehold at a very low fee.
The Industry Minister was also urged to note that the reserve rates for PSIEC industrial plots are higher than the actual value of the plots, significantly increasing the registration of land cost and cost of fees to PSIEC. The Industry Minister stated that the government will now determine the prices of plots based on the reports of three authorized valuers, ensuring that industrialists can obtain plots at reasonable prices. He also assured to look into the matter of the higher cost of reserve price of plots of PSIEC
On failure of MSME Cluster Program in Punjab, Arora was informed that Punjab has over 100 industrial clusters, but only three Common Facility Centers have been established under the MSME Ministry’s Cluster Development Scheme in Punjab. Therefore, for the betterment of industries, the government should give the Industries Department a target of constructing at least 10 new Common Facility Centres in Punjab in the year 2026 under the MSME Cluster Development Scheme.
Regarding the Punjab Pollution Control Board’s disconnection of industrial connections, Arora was informed that the Industries Department is making every effort to encourage the establishment of new industries in Punjab. However, the Punjab Pollution Control Board shuts down industries without giving any warning. Therefore, rules should be made to prevent the Punjab Pollution Control Board from arbitrarily shutting down industries, and industries should be given at least three hearings to improve their pollution control systems.
Jindal also informed the Minister that World MSME Forum is having a full report of misuse of funds by the PSPCL officials. Which will be handed over to the department for any action. Regarding the fraudulent use of Invest Punjab benefits by several industries, Arora was informed that several industries have started receiving incentives worth crores of rupees from the government by showing minor expansion under the old industrial policy, while these industries have neither increased production nor employment.
