Punjab rules out action against Reliance retail

The ruling Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) today denied rumours that the Punjab government might take action against the retail outlets of Reliance on the lines of the UP government.

The working president of the SAD, Sukhbir Badal, said investment in any form in the state will be welcomed.

"There is no point taking action against any business venture and the state government will always welcome any investment in any form," Sukhbir told reporters here today.

Asked about the social stand on the basis of which the UP government took action against Reliance' outlets, Sukhbir rejected the possibilities of any threat to small businessmen due to Reliance's entry in the state. He said the competitiveness of market would provide customers with more choices.

"Our aim is to provide level-playing field to every business venture, small or big. It is up to the venture as to how it serves its customer to make and maintain his clientele", he added.

When pointed that during congress' rule the SAD was against providing any concessions to Reliance, junior Badal said the state government was still against doling out concessions to any business house and would continue with the policy.

"During the congress rule, the state government was allotting land to Reliance at throwaway prices, which was opposed by the SAD and we still feel that the state government has no right to give any concessions as far as allotment of the land to any business house is concerned," Sukhbir added.

The state government has adopted a policy that although it would welcome any investment in the state but business houses would have to purchase land on their own and the government would not facilitate the land acquisition process.

On the issue of special economic zone (SEZ), the state government has adopted the policy of the Union government.

Claiming that the SAD-BJP alliance would start fulfiling the promises made in its poll manifesto in the very first year of its tenure, Sukhbir Badal said for the urban development, master plan for every city of the state was under consideration.

"A comprehensive master plan for each urban cities is in the pipeline and overall development infrastructure like flyovers, sewerage system and safe drinking water will be provided to every dwelling unit," Sukhbir said.

Asked about the investment policy for such projects as the state government was under heavy debt, Sukhbir, without elaborating on the plan to tackle the financial crisis said: 'We are doing financial planning for generating more resources for such development projects".