Time is ripe for a fresh industrial policy: Industries secretary

A senior official of the Chandigarh Administration on Monday urged the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) to draft an industrial policy for the city. Stating that the Draft Industrial Policy 2009 had become old,Home Secretary-cum-Industries Secretary Anil Kumar further said that the time was ripe for a fresh policy draft. “ Let us focus on a few key areas and draft a policy to give vision and guidance to the industry in Chandigarh. Like every business entity,cities need to change and innovate constantly” Kumar said while interacting with industry representatives at a session organised by the CII Chandigarh Council.

While appreciating that the city had retained its unique character,the home secretary opined it was time for innovation,especially since the city had expanded substantially with the addition of Mohali and Panchkula on its periphery. Lauding CII’s role as a developmental institute,Kumar also appreciated the industry’s efforts in CSR and skill development in the Chandigarh region.

Sameer Goel,chairman,CII Chandigarh Council,shared the issues concerning the industries with Kumar. They included implementation of MSMED Act in totality in Chandigarh,growth of IT/ITES sector,simplification of procedures,infrastructure development,better connectivity and allowing need-based changes in the industrial areas.

Kumar assured full support to industry representatives stressing on the need to organise a joint meeting of all the departments of Chandigarh Administration for faster implementation of MSMED Act,2006. Man Mohan Singh,vice-chairman,CII Chandigarh Council while extending CII’s full support to the Administration,requested Kumar for regular interactions to take industrys’ cause forward.