Chairman of the Punjab State Traders Commission (Department of Excise and Taxation) Anil Thakur on Monday stated that the Punjab government is actively working to create a conducive business environment for the state’s industrial sector, with on-going efforts to promote its growth and prosperity.
During a meeting with representatives from various industrial associations at Bachat Bhawan, Chairman Thakur listened to the concerns raised by industrialists and traders. He also shared details about the government's initiatives aimed at bolstering the industrial sector and encouraged participants to provide suggestions for further improvements.
Thakur highlighted those efforts to properly maintain all focal points across the state have already begun. The Chairman noted that he has held over 100 meetings in various Assembly constituencies across Punjab, where he listened to traders’ issues.
Drawing from his background in the hotel industry, he emphasized his understanding of the challenges businesses face, a perspective aligned with the responsibilities entrusted to him by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann. He announced that a One-Time Settlement (OTS) scheme for 2017-18 would soon be introduced to address traders’ concerns.
He urged industrialists to directly contact relevant department officials for prompt resolution of their grievances, noting that the Punjab Government has already issued directives to ensure transparent administrative services. Industrialists expressed their gratitude for Thakur’s visit to Ludhiana and raised key issues, such as the need for faster refund processing and stricter measures to prevent the transportation of goods without proper billing.
The meeting was attended by members of the Punjab State Traders Commission, including Raj Kumar Agarwal and Dr. Anil Bhardwaj, as well as State Joint Secretary (Trade Wing) Parampal Singh Bawa, Advisory Committee member Chirag Thapar, and Director of the Youth Development Board Gurbir Bajwa.
Other officials present included DCST Randhir Kaur, ACSTs Harpreet Singh, Shinee Singh, Rahul Bhatia, ACST (Mobile Wing) Kulbir Singh, and Assistant Commissioner (Excise) Inderjit Singh.