Single window clearance facilitating industry: Sidhu

Chandigarh: Punjab cabinet minister Navjot Singh Sidhu today said the single window clearance mechanism, being provided by the state government, is facilitating the investments particularly in sectors like services, manufacturing, small scale industries, defence and tourism to create jobs.

Sidhu, local government, tourism, cultural affairs and Museums minister, was speaking at foundation stone-laying ceremony of the regional office of industry body Assocham at Mohali, the industry body said in a release.

Sidhu said the government is ready to facilitate Assocham and anyone who wants to invest in Punjab. “We must use land banks as equity for public private partnerships (PPP),” he said.

Speaking on this occasion, Assocham president Sandeep Jajodia said, “we believe that Punjab not only hosts vibrant MSME clusters for textile and garments, bicycle parts, sports and engineering products, but is also a nursery of entrepreneurs, reflecting a true Punjabi spirit”.

“We believe in developing a synergy between the private sector and state, particularly in the areas of technical education and skill development. We are looking forward to developing and strengthening partnerships with the state government for technical institutes.” 

Jajodia said industry in Punjab was finding it difficult to compete due to tax concessions in the neighbouring states. “The industrial units in Punjab are disadvantaged due to lack of easy access of cheap raw materials,” he said.