Chandigarh, November 3
A meeting of the World MSME Forum was held at the Chief Minister’s residence in Chandigarh, attended by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Cabinet Minister Aman Arora, and Chief Secretary of Punjab KAP Sinha. The meeting discussed the GST scams in Punjab. Badish Jindal stated that tax evasion in Punjab is still exceeding ₹15,000 crore, and that department officials are also complicit. Punjab has become a market for those selling goods without bills. 90% of the tax evasion is occurring in the housing sector, and the GST department is taking no action.
Jindal, stated that the GST department is solely responsible for bogus GST billing and unbilled sale in Punjab, and that many officials within the department currently possess assets worth billions.
The Chief Minister directed Chief Secretary KAP Sinha to discuss this issue separately with the World MSME Forum, directing him to make every effort to ensure that tax evasion does not occur in Punjab.
The World MSME Forum advised the Chief Minister on Invest Punjab. Industries already established in Punjab are facing a significant challenge in bringing existing industries to Invest Punjab. On one hand, the government has to provide crores of rupees in subsidies to these industries, while on the other, cheap electricity and tax breaks are forcing new industries to close down.
Jindal also informed the Chief Minister that things looks good in paper while industries apply under Invest Punjab but practically the procedures are very tough and tiring. It take a lot bundle of papers to comply with the norms of getting permissions for CLU and constructions.
Chief Minister informed that government is bringing full regime of self certifications and including all this in upcoming industrial policy of Punjab.
Renewable Energy Minister Aman Arora was urged to establish a separate solar power cluster for Mandi Gobindgarh. Jindal informed the Minister that while Punjab’s industries currently receive electricity at a rate of Rs. 7 per unit, after adding fixed charges and taxes, the same solar power would be available at Rs. 2 to 2.50 per unit. The government should establish a separate 1000 MW solar power station for Mandi Gobindgarh. This move would provide industries in Punjab with iron at a cheaper rate of up to Rs. 2000 per ton.
Renewable Energy Minister Aman said his department has ordered the Rural Development and Panchayat Department to submit a list of all Shamlat lands in Punjab to identify those near the grid where solar power plants could be installed.
The Chief Minister stated that the government is considering this matter, and that there is considerable land in the border areas, Kandi areas, and forested areas where solar power plants could be installed using high poles, which would provide affordable electricity to Punjab’s industries through direct agreements.
A separate meeting regarding all these issues has been scheduled with the Chief Secretary this week.
