Releasing the 13-point “Develop Punjab, Give Incentive to Punjabis” programme of the SAD-BSP alliance, the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Sunday announced a slew of incentives including a new ministry for small industry and traders, 50 per cent reduction in EDC and registry charges, life, health and fire insurance for small traders as well as pension scheme, Rs five lakh interest free loan for new entrepreneurs, assured power supply at the rate of Rs five per unit and establishment of a Skill University to train required manpower.
Announcing the 13-point programme at a meet of the industry and trade, SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal said: “SAD is very clear that Punjab can progress to the next level by giving a fillip to the trade and industrial sector. We must bank on the enterprising spirit of Punjabis by encouraging the home-grown industry and removing any impediment in its growth.”
Stating that this would be the first time in the history of the State that the industrial and trade sector would get an opportunity to frame its own policies, Sukhbir said that an advisory board would be established which would frame the new policies of the new Ministry for Small Traders and MSME sector.
“Once the SAD-BSP government is formed in 2022, our purpose is to end red tapism and rely on self declaration only,” he said while announcing that trade and industry would not have to maintain any books for a turnover less than Rs 25 lakh. “Only a small lump sum will be charged from them,” he said.
In another decision, Sukhbir announced that a ‘Build Punjab agency’ would be established which would not only regulate the functioning of the real estate sector but would also issue all clearances in a time bound manner of 45 days.
He also announced that the External Development Charges (EDC) as well as registry charge would be halved to encourage real estate activity. “EDC would be charged on a per square feet basis upon registry to give a boost to construction activity. We will also allow the industry to maintain industrial estates and the government will fund this initiative to ensure the industry is in the driver’s seat while deciding on development needed in industrial estates,” he said.
Asserting that he understood the pain of the small traders whom he had interacted with in large numbers during his recent urban outreach programme, Sukhbir said: “We are committed to implementing an Rs 10 lakh life insurance, health insurance and fire insurance scheme each for small traders as well as micro and small industries. We will also initiate a pension scheme for small traders and the State will contribute towards the same.”
He said that the next SAD-BSP government is also committed to giving relief to industry which had suffered during the period of COVID pandemic. The State would give a five per cent subsidy on interest owed to banks besides offering a five per cent interest subvention on working capital limit of Rs 50 lakh. “New entrepreneurs, especially women and youth who want to start small businesses like beauty parlours or boutiques, will be given an interest free loan of Rs five lakh,” Sukhbir said.
He announced to ensure availability of power at the rate of Rs five per unit to the industrial sector as well as small traders. He also announced that big industry, as well as focal point associations, would be allowed to establish their own solar power plants to make them more competitive.
