CEO holds first ever interactive meeting with CII at Jalandhar

By Amrit Pal Brar

Jalandhar, September 20

Describing Punjab as the land of immense industrial opportunities, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Punjab Bureau of Investment Promotion Rajat Aggarwal today said that the state government government’s online approval system for all the industrial clearances was facilitating the investors.

Chairing an interactive meeting with the Confederation of Indian Industries organized here today, the Chief Executive Officer, accompanied by Deputy Commissioner Jalandhar Varinder Kumar Sharma, said that this mechanism was a revolutionary step that was facilitating the investors in getting the clearances, from the line departments, for setting up their units in the state.

Aggarwal said that this unique initiative had been pivotal in putting the industrial growth of the state on the high growth trajectory.

The Chief Executive Officer said that industrialists have been benefitted from Rs 52 crore electricity duty exemptions by the state government. Likewise, he said that state government has also made a payment of VAT refund worth Rs 1700 crore and that of GST worth Rs 500 crore.

Aggarwal said that in order to benefit the industrialist a centralized online inspection mechanism has been initiated as per which a Joint inspection of PPCB and Labour department was done, the report of which was available to the industrialists online within 48 hours.

Extending a personal invitation to entrepreneurs to participate in Progressive Punjab Investors Summit-2019 to be organized at Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar (Mohali) from December 5^th to 6^th, the Chief Executive Officer said that this summit would be a milestone in exploring the tremendous business potential in the state.

He said that it would also act as a catalyst in creating synergy between Punjab and foreign investors, for pushing industrialization on fast track. Mr. Aggarwal said that due to industrial friendly policies of the state government, Punjab was already moving towards greater industrialization in a shift from the traditional agriculture based economy, which had already reached a point of saturation.

The Chief Executive Officer said that the state government had promoted ease of business with its new industrial policy, which is aimed at facilitating investors. He said that has helped in firming up investment worth Rs. 50,000 crore since March 2017.

Aggarwal further said that since Micro Small Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector was the engine for socio-economic growth and the backbone of industrial development, the State Government had prioritized MSME development as a key focus area.

The Chief Executive Officer further said that the state government has undertaken a slew of progressive regulatory and policy reforms with an aim to enhance the quality of service delivery. He said it was matter of great pride and satisfaction that Punjab, with just 1.5% of India’s land area, contributes 3% to India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Aggarwal said that Punjab was a manufacturing hub and the biggest producer of tractors, bicycle and bicycle component and hosiery woolen adding that state was also a major exporter and had exported goods worth six billion US Dollar in over 200 countries during financial year 2018-19.

Assuring fulsome support and cooperation to investors desirous of investing in the state, the Chief Executive Officer said that knowing well that power was catalyst of industrial growth; the state was providing power at a variable rate of Rs 5 per unit to industrialists.

Similarly, he said that the Punjab was the only state with industrial friendly atmosphere adding that industrialists must avail benefit of congenial atmosphere backed by excellent infra structure, cheap power, skilled human resources and best industrial and work culture. He said that till now Rs 2037 crore power subsidy has been given to industrialists adding that the state government would also accord top priority to early resolution of issues, if any, faced by industrialists.

On the occasion Chairman CII Punjab State Council Harsh Chavan, Chairman CII Jalandhar Zonal Council Barinder Kalsi Vice Chairman CII Jalandhar Zonal Council and Shivdev Singh welcomed the dignitaries and lauded the steps being taken by the state government.

(People waiting registration work)  

Appointment of Sub Registrar in Tehsil Bathinda fails to serve purpose

By Amrit Pal Brar

Bathinda, 19 September 2019: The appointment of Sub Registrar in Bathinda Tehsil appears to be a failure to provide any relief to the people of the district if one scrutinizes the functioning of the city Sub Registrar office.

Last year, 20 additional posts of dedicated Sub Registrars were approved by the State Government on the directives of the Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh to provide hassle-free property registration services to the people.

The aim of the these appointments was to provide a full time mechanism to accelerate the registeration work without any hurdle as the the Tehsildars and Naib Tehsildars are many a times put on some other duties, such as to assist the DC, ADC in talks with protesting unions and other protocol duties.

The other main objective of this endeavour of Punjab government was to strengthen  and streamlining  the functioning of revenue department that would go a long way in easing out the workload despite of bringing greater efficiency in the department.

If you make a visit to the city Sub Register office, you will gather an impression that this office has badly failed to fulfil the objectives of the state government to provide hasslefree delivery of services to the citizens of the area. Few self speaking pics are being posted with this despatch post.

Last week this correspondent had an incident visit to this place to meet Tehsildar with some personal work, who was on abroad visit as told by staff. Later, the correspondent made a call to Naib Tehsildar, who replied, that he was on protocol duty with Revenue Minister at Lakeview club.

To an utter surprise, even the Sub Registrar was not available in the office and around 200 people were sitting in the seating areas of the complex for registration works. It was 4.00 pm in the evening of 13^th September, 2019.

Without success or a result to meet Tehsil officers, at 4.30 pm, this correspondent messaged the Deputy Commissioner for intervention along with self speaking pics of the scenario. But, he did not reply. On earlier occasions too, he never replies to any good or important message.

At 4.40 pm the matter was brought to the notice of CPS Suresh Kumar, who immediately intervened and the registeration work started.

Will the Punjab Chief Minister look into this matter?

Allots work of installing LED lights in its various projects

Patiala DA to save approximately Rs. 38 lac PA

By Amrit Pal Brar

PATIALA, September 14:

Patiala Development Authority (PDA) has allotted the work of replacement of conventional street lights with LED lights in its various projects. The work is proposed to be completed by November, 2019 and the estimated cost of the project is Rs. 1.20 crore. The scope of work includes running maintenance of these street light points for a period of 5 years.

It is worth mentioning that replacement of old conventional lights with LED lights is another energy saving initiative taken by PDA, as recently, the Authority had got installed an On-Grid Solar Power Plant System having capacity of 90 KW on the roof top of the Authority’s building at Urban Estate, Phase-2, Patiala.

An official spokesperson of the Housing & Urban Development Department said that the department is trying to make use of cheaper modern day technology in every sphere. Installation of LED lights, where on one hand would lead to energy saving, it would also bring down the number of road mishaps on the other hand as the LED lights improve visibility on the roads. Besides, PDA would also save on account of electricity expenses as the LED lights consume less electricity compared to the presently installed halide, sodium and CFL lights, said the spokesperson.

Giving further information, Surabhi Malik, Chief Administrator, Patiala Development Authority stated that the tender for replacement of earlier fitted street lights with LED lights in Urban Estate, Phase-I, II & III, PRTC Workshop, Sirhind Road, Patiala has been allotted. Under the current arrangement, where approximately 10 lakhs units of electricity are consumed every year, the annual consumption would come down to approximately 5.30 lakhs units after installation of LED lights. With this, the annual expenditure being incurred on electricity would be almost half of what the Authority is spending presently, she said. Assuming the office working to be 10 hours per day and considering the electricity rate at Rs. 8/- per unit, PDA would save approximately Rs. 38.00 lac per annum, said the Chief Administrator.

PCS officers from Sri Muktsar Sahib and Sangrur join Pen-down strike

By Amrit Pal Brar

Bathinda, September 11, 2019: PCS officers from Sangrur and Sri Muktsar Sahib joins the pen-down strike by PCS officers all over the state, they appealed to Government of Punjab to take steps to stop attack on officers, which have become quite common in the past few days.

Gopal Singh SDM Malout and Manjeet Kaur SDM Sunam told that “The state government should take effective steps to stop attacks on the officers; it will be very difficult to work in such a situation”.

They said those working in the field, all over the state were feeling insecure because of the recent incidents in Moga and Zira.

Pen-down strike by PCS officers all over the state

By Amrit Pal Brar

Fatehgarh Sahib, September 11, 2019: During the pen-down strike by PCS officers all over the state, PCS officers from Fatehgarh Sahib  appealed to Government of Punjab to take steps to stop attack on officers, which have become quite common in the past few days.

The five PCS officer of the district including Anand Sagar Sharma SDM Amloh, Dr. Sanjiv Kumar SDM Fatehgarh Sahib, Jasanpreet Kaur Gill  SDM Khamano, Jagdeep Singh Johal SDM Bassi Patha , Charanjit   Singh General Assistant (GA) to DC observed pen down strike on the state-wide pen-down strike call by the PCS Officers Association Executive Branch.

While talking to the media Anand Sagar Sharma SDM and other officers said that this protest is mainly against the horrible incidents of attacks on dignity and person of the officers, while performing their official duties. It’s very disturbing that some of the attacks occurred on them while performing disaster relief work or conducting elections in fair manner.

They said besides this their various genuine demands are lying pending and the Govt. is not heeding to their demands. The young officers are getting only Rs. 15600 in first 2 years and there is inadequate infrastructure and severe shortage of staff.

A total of 5 PCS officers assembled here to register their protest and filed a written complaint to the government.