DW Bureau / Mukerian (Hoshiarpur) Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh on Saturday embarked first of its kind Sarkaar Vpaar Milni to resolve the issues being faced by the trading community of the state.

Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said that this first of its kind initiative is aimed at ensuring the well being of the trading community. He said that this is a step forward for restoring the pristine glory of the state by giving fillip to its economic development. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the industry and trade is the backbone of the economy of every state due to which it must be given an impetus.

The Chief Minister further said that revenue and employment generation is a circle which is pivotal for development of the state. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that he had visited the several big cities like Mumbai, Chennai and others to invite the industrialists for setting up their ventures. He said that gone are the days when those in power used to demand their share in the projects as now the entire focus is on development of the state.

The Chief Minister said that so far investments worth Rs 70,000 crore have been firmed up in the state with leading companies like Tata Steel, Sanatan Textiles and others making a beeline to invest in the state. He said that likewise the state government is duty bound to safeguard the interests of the local industry adding that they are the real brand ambassadors of the state. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the state government is committed to ensure that these companies expand their businesses in the state.

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

He said that he is the custodian of all the rights and interests of the Punjabis due to which his every action is aimed at welfare of every section of the society. He said that unfortunately those leaders who had remained in power in the state, earlier, had amassed huge wealth by ruining the state. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that these leaders had interest in transport, education, health and other sectors due to which they ignored the welfare of people adding that there was conflict of interest of these leaders due to which they gave preference to their own vested interests.

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

The Chief Minister said that the era of harassment of the industry and traders is over and the state government will now act as a facilitator to them. He said that unlike in the past no one will harass the industrialists rather the state government will make every effort to promote and encourage the industry. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that this is being implemented in real zeal to ensure comprehensive development of the industrial sector.

He said that the state government will make concerted efforts for safeguarding, promoting and expanding the existing industrial units in the state. He said that the industrialists have played a key role in the socio-economic growth of the country. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that these industries have carved a niche for them across the globe and the state government will make every effort to ensure that their interests are safeguarded.

The Chief Minister said that the state government has introduced unique colour coded stamp papers, which is a step forward towards ushering a new era of Industrial Revolution in the state. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that Punjab is the first state to introduce green colored stamp papers to facilitate the entrepreneurs for setting up their units thereby giving much needed fillip to industrial growth of the state. He described it as a revolutionary step aimed at promoting ease of doing business for the entrepreneurs desirous of setting up their units in the state. / DW