The Punjab Cabinet today approved a major investor friendly initiative by extending fiscal incentives under the ‘Fiscal Incentives for Industrial Promotion (revised), 2013’ Policy to those units also which were located in industrial zones as per master plans with an investment of Rs 1 to 10 crore. Earlier this incentive was available only to those units which were located in industrial parks.A decision to this effect was taken by the Cabinet in its meeting held under the chairmanship of Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal here at Punjab Bhawan, this evening.Disclosing this here today a spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s Office said that this step would be instrumental in giving fillip to small and medium scale industries. The incentive policy was also changed to include the entire district of Ropar under Zone -I category instead of only Sri Anandpur Sahib Sub Division, entitling any future industry in entire district for higher incentives under the policy.
In a bid to incentivise and extend full support to the existing industry in the state, the Cabinet asked the departments of Industries & Commerce and Investment promotion to prepare a comprehensive package in this regard and put forth in the next meeting of the Cabinet.In another major decision, the Cabinet also gave go ahead to supply power at the effective rate of Electricity per unit (with utilisation factor of 50% or more) @ less than Rs 5 per unit (FCA extra) to those industrial units who intend to set up their units during Invest Punjab or who have already installed their units to avail ‘Fiscal Incentives for Industrial Promotion (revised), 2013’. Such prospective investors would be entitled for this incentive for five years from coming into commercial operations whereas those who have already begun such operations could avail this benefit for five years with effect from October 28, 2015.
The Cabinet also approved the ‘The Punjab Development of Trade and Industries Ordinance, 2015’ for the creation of fund to be utilised for the execution of several works for the purpose of development of trade, commerce and industry in the state such as development of industrial estates, focal points and industrial clusters being developed by the government, to provide infra structure to the trade and industry, financial incentives, grants, subsidies etc. to financial, industrial and commercial units besides developing and maintaining non polluted atmosphere in the local area. In order to meet the aforesaid purposes the state government would impose entry tax on the goods brought into the state. The rate on which the tax was to be imposed on different goods would be specified by the government from time to time.On the request of various marriage palace owners which were not covered under the marriage palace regularisation policy of October 2012, would now get the benefit of this policy by paying additional compounding fees. They would be liable to pay all other charges as enshrined under the regularisation policy of 2012.
The Cabinet also okayed to formulate a special policy to rehabilitate 47 industrial units operating in a mix land use zone/ residential area falling in villages Balongi, Daon, Badmajra, Ballomajra, Landran and Saneta within the jurisdiction of GMADA. As per the policy these industrial units would be shifted in designated zones of master plan of SAS Nagar (Mohali) or regional plan of GMADA from existing places within a time span of one and half years from the date of issue of notification. The owners of these units would purchase the land at their own level to shift their units for which they would be exempted from CLU, License Fee, EDC charges and Building plan approval fee (except labour cess). The owners of these units would have right to apply for industrial plots, if any, available with GMADA or PSIEC on fulfilling all the terms and conditions of the respective authorities.
In another decision, the Cabinet also decided that the government employee seeking extension in service would be entitled to pay equivalent to his last drawn salary only. Such employees would not be eligible for any promotion and annual increment during the extended service period.The Cabinet also gave green signal to enactment of ‘The Punjab Forest (Group-A) Ministerial Services Rules, 2015 by repealing The Punjab Forest (Group-A) Ministerial Service Rules, 2004 thus bringing the posts of Deputy Director (Administration/ Planning), Budget &Accounts and Private Secretary (Group-A) and Administrative Officer within its preview.The Cabinet also gave ex-post facto approval for the revival of seven posts of Senior Assistants, Accountant, database Administrator and network engineer in the office of Punjab Public Service Commission (PPSC).In a bid to streamline the work related to disbursement of Old age and Widow Pensions to the eligible beneficiaries across the state, the Cabinet also gave nod for reviving 16 posts of Data Entry Operators in the Social Security, Women and Child Development Department. It was also decided to create nine posts including District Social Security Officer, Superintendent Grade-II, senior assistant, Data Entry Operator and others in the Barnala district.