For investment, state may change industrial policy

In a move to invite industry to the cash-strapped Punjab, the state government is ready to amend and even bring in a new industrial policy, Industries & Commerce Minister Anil Joshi said Wednesday.

"We will review the industrial policy and if need be, make amendments or create a new one to provide a good environment to the industry in the state," Joshi said.

He proposals to set up new industry would be cleared within 30 days through a single window system. "For strengthening Single Window Clearances for getting clearances from different departments, all technical support for the purpose will be given by the Punjab Infotech," he added.

In case the clearances were not granted by the concerned department as per the time schedule set by the Punjab Industrial Facilitation Act, the Deemed Approvals would be granted by the Department of Industries and Commerce for getting the necessary facilities and concessions by the concerned industry within 30 days.

"The government has also started a process to look out for cheap lands available in different parts of state, including Pathankot and Bathinda district and Kandi areas," he told reporters in his maiden press conference here after assuming charge as Industries Minister in the Parkash Singh Badal government last month.

"We are looking for pockets measuring 2,000 to 3,000 acres so that investors can set up industrial units," he said.

He said that industrial cluster parks will be allowed to be set up by investors in these lands so that industrialists do not face any problem.

He said that the industry department had handed over Letter of Intents (LoI) to the tune of Rs 2,900 crore to the investors in the past about a month. "The government will earmark cheap lands and rest has to be done by investors," he said adding that the government would act as a facilitator for investors.

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