Focal Points, SEZs to be upgraded, says CM Mann

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, March 3

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and his Delhi counterpart Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday had detailed discussions with industrialists and traders during ‘Sarkar Vyapaar Milni’ programme.

Addressing the gathering, the Punjab Chief Minister reiterated that the first-of-its kind initiative in the form of Sarkar Vyapaar Milni was aimed at ensuring the well-being of the traders’ community. He said it was a step forward for restoring the pristine glory of the state by giving fillip to its economic development. Mann said the industry and trade were the backbone of economy of every state due to which it must be given an impetus.

The Punjab CM said the state government was working tirelessly to change the face of the state by putting the focus on development. He claimed that AAP was doing the “politics of work”, rather than indulging in mudslinging. Mann said it should have been done much earlier so that people could have benefited from it.

The Punjab Chief Minister said so far, investments worth Rs 70,000 crore have been firmed up in the state with leading companies such as Tata Steel and Sanathan Textiles. Likewise, the state government is duty-bound to safeguard the interests of the local industry, he said, adding that they were the real brand ambassadors of the state.

Mann said the state government was committed to ensuring that these companies expand their business in the state.

The Chief Minister claimed that the state had the best law and order situation in the country due to which industries were coming in a big way. He said it was contrary to the situation when during previous regimes, the leaders used to seek shares in ventures. Mann said earlier, MoUs were signed with political families in power but now these agreements were signed for progress and prosperity of the state.

The Chief Minister gave a clarion call to traders to work for progress of the state. He exhorted them and industrialists to become partners in the ongoing revolution to usher in a new era of economic prosperity for the state. Mann said the state government had already prepared a blueprint for upgrading infrastructure in focal points and SEZs, besides ensuring security in industrial areas by setting up special police posts.

The Chief Minister said the era of harassment of the industry and traders was over and the state government would now act as a facilitator to them. He said unlike in the past, no one would harass the industrialists. Rather, the state government would make every effort to promote and encourage industry.

The Chief Minister said for the first time, 410 hi-tech new vehicles have been given to station house officers (SHOs) in the Punjab Police to maintain law and order efficiently. He said it was contrary to earlier trends when the new vehicles were given to top officials instead of those at the grassroots level. SHOs are the real face of the Punjab Police as they were directly connected with people, he said, adding that industrialists would immensely benefit from the move.

The Chief Minister said the Sadak Surakhya Force was the first-of-its kind specialised force acting to save several precious lives that were lost in road mishaps daily in Punjab.

The Delhi Chief Minister said none of the previous governments had ever bothered about the welfare of industrialists and traders. He said this government wants to make the industrialists an equal partner in the social and economic progress of the state. Kejriwal said the state government was here to facilitate the traders rather than plundering them as was the practice prevalent during previous regimes.

Arvind Kejriwal slammed the Union Government for creating hiccups in the smooth functioning of non-BJP states and said it was tantamount to high-handedness.

The Delhi Chief Minister said the people of Kerala, West Bengal, Telangana and other states had empowered their CMs by giving them Lok Sabha seats and the time has now come to give power to Bhagwant Mann by giving all Lok Sabha seats to AAP. He said the Centre was suffering from ‘anti-Punjab syndrome’ due to which it needs to be taught a lesson for which Punjabis should gear up. Kejriwal said the Centre should be given an apt answer for rejecting the tableau of the state as it meant humiliation of Punjabis, adding that martyrs of the state did not need an NOC from the Centre for their supreme sacrifices.

Beopar Mandal flays govt for ignoring small traders

The Punjab Pradesh Beopar Mandal has condemned the AAP government for not inviting small traders and businessmen in their interactions who were the worst sufferers. Sunil Mehra, president of the mandal, said every time, bigwigs in the industry were called by the government and no attention was paid to those who were suffering and facing challenges while doing business in the state. Mehra said the government would get real feedback if small traders and industrialists were invited to voice their grievances.

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