Punjab industry looks to new govt for revival

Going by the promises for industry by the SAD-BJP combine, industrialists hope Punjab's industry will again flourish.

The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), in its poll manifesto, had said it would take "major" steps by bringing a "Make and Implement Youth Policy" for trade and industry to promote industrial segments and the chairmanship of the board was also offered to an industrialist, who will have the rank of cabinet minister.

"Since several industries are shifted to neighbouring states to enjoy special tax incentives, with the introduction of the same incentives in Punjab, more and more units will be attracted to the state and even those that shifted to other states may come back," said Satpal Mahajan, an industrialist.

The manifesto also assured 24 hour uninterrupted power supply to the industry within three years, he said expecting the bone of contention for the industry was lack of power, if the promises is fulfilled by the new government, industry would again be at number one in the country, as it used be few years back.

For generation of more power, SAD assured that dedicated generation and distribution channels from sources outside the state for commercial sector (trade and industry) on a nominally higher tariff.

For strengthening the Large and Medium Scal Industry, Small Scale Industry and Trade, three separate Development Boards would e formed and eachBoard would have 11 members from the concerned fields to function as "Legislators of trade and industry", Akalis' poll manifesto assured.

Even the party assured simplification of VAT on the basis of recommendations received from representatives of trade and industry on development.

Sharad Aggarwal, an industrialist of the city, said that if the promises fulfilled, nothing can stop industry of Punjab to come on the position of Number one.

"Although previous government repeatedly assured change of use in the Gadaipur Industrial area, but nothing in practical is done, if, Badal, fulfill his promise on the same, it will change the shape of the area and have massive impact on the production of the industries", Aggarwal said.

Satish Wassan, owner of Sports Goods Manufacturing in Sports and Surgical Complex of the city, said that Badal in his last tenure as Chief Minister constructed the complex with bag full of promises but as government changed in 2002, Congress government did not give any heed to the problems of even basic amenities in the area.

"Now Badal has again come back, we hope that the promises he made to us will be fulfilled now" Wassan said with hope in his eyes.

He said that promise of SAD that proportionate increments in state revenue on a five year average basis through self-assessment by trader and industrialists and to stop the present system of unnecessary checking and detainment of commercial consignment, would not only increase of the revenue of government but also extend massive relief to the traders who were fed by the Inspector Raj.

Assurance of giving a practical shape to the bilateral trade between the Punjab of Pakistan and Punjab (India), would definitely give boost to the industry of border districts.