Deputy Chief Minister, Nirmal Singh, on Tuesday interacted with members of various industrial associations to discuss vital issues related to formation of new industrial policy and implementation of Goods and Services Tax (GST).Minister for Finance Haseeb Drabu and Minister for Industries and Commerce Chander Parkash Ganga were also present in the meeting.The Deputy CM sought suggestions from stakeholders so that a business and investor friendly industrial policy is formulated for rapid industrial growth and employment generation.The Ministers had detailed deliberation on various issues including implementation of Goods & Services Tax (GST), better infrastructure facilities, better road connectivity, uninterrupted power supply, proper implementation of Single Window System, Cross LOC Trade, provision of land bank, power purchase policy, incentives, skill development programmes, etc.
Deputy Chief Minister said that the aim of this interaction is to listen to the problems being faced by industrialists so that these are taken care of while bringing out the new industrial policy. He said that the government has already initiated Ease of Doing business at various levels to ensure prompt and hassle free services to entrepreneurs. He directed the Chief Engineer PDD to prepare a comprehensive plan for providing un-interrupted power supply to the industrial area.Finance Minister, while addressing the traders, assured the industrialists that the government is keen to promote industries in the State for tackling unemployment which hinders the progress and prosperity. He briefed them about various aspects of new industrial policy and GST. He further assured the industrialists better road connectivity, un-interrupted power supply and other basic facilities to give new dimensions to industrial profile of the State. He added that the present dispensation is working under a well knit strategy to create a conducive atmosphere in the state to attract outside investors besides encouraging local industry which has huge demand world over.
Minister for Industries said that every initiative is being taken to ease formalities for setting up of industrial units in the State adding that aim of present coalition government is to generate employment with focus on skill development and proper marketing support.The Industrialists raised various issues including effective implementation of single window system, implementation of Budget announcements for industries at the earliest besides better incentives in Industrial Estates.Among others, Director Industries, Dr. Abdul Rashid, President BBIA Lalit Mahajan, President Association of Industries Gangyal Rajesh Jain, President Samba Industries Association Vijay Aggarwal, Former Chairman, Federation of Industries Anil Suri and other prominent industrialists were present during the interaction.