Sidhu for ‘single window system’ for investors
AMRITSAR :Terming it as the only hope for reviving the industry in Punjab, Punjab local bodies minister Navjot Singh Sidhu on Monday said that the state needed a ‘single window system’ to facilitate investors and help bringing industry to the state.
He was addressing members of the PHD Chamber of Industry and Commerce during the valedictory ceremony of the Punjab International Trade Expo (PITEX-2017) organised by the chamber in collaboration with the Punjab government.
He said the investors have to go through several types of formalities and permissions and spend a huge money on ‘bribing government employees. Apart from this, he alleged that the Centre is discriminating against Punjab in respect of giving incentives to industry. “This has deprived Punjab of most industrial units,” he said.
He slammed the previous SAD-BJP government for imposing 56 kinds of permissions for investors, which was nothing a way to loot them.
The minister said the Congress government is trying to introduce single window system by scrapping these permissions to revive industry in Punjab. He slammed the Centre to facilitate industrialists of neighbouring states of Punjab. “As Punjab is an agrarian economy, only agrobased industry can help farmers get rid of the deep fiscal mess of loans,” he said.
SAYS AT PRESENT, INVESTORS HAVE TO GO THROUGH SEVERAL TYPES OF FORMALITIES AND HAVE TO SPEND A LOT ON ‘BRIBES’
Commenting on the Centre’s move not to give clearance to Pakistan traders, who wanted to exhibit their products at the expo, Sidhu said, “The traders of Mumbai and Karachi face no hurdles in mutual trade, despite the fact both the cities are several hundreds kms away from each other”.
“On the other hand, Amritsar is in proximity of Lahore. Still traders from both the cities are not allowed to carry out trade. This is dual standard and we need to fight against it. The Indopak trade is necessary to boost the economy of Punjab. I have raised the issue many a time in Parliament,” he said.
Rupinder Singh Sachdeva, president of Punjab committee of PHD Chamber, termed the nonissuance of visas to Pakistan traders as unfortunate. “As far as tension between India and Pakistan is concerned, only trade can improve the bilateral ties,” said Ashok Khanna, former president of the chamber
Lauding arrangements made at the expo, Sidhu expressed happiness over the participation of Indian Air force and the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). Deputy commissioner Kamaldeep Singh Sangha and commissioner of police (CP) SS Srivastava also shared their views.