Sukhbir Singh Badal promises ₹5 power and State GST relief to Punjab industry

Muktsar. Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal on Tuesday said that if the SAD forms the next government in Punjab, new industrial units would be allowed to keep the State GST they collect. He also promised to supply power to industry at ₹5 per unit and to end what he called “Inspector Raj”.

He made the promises at meetings with traders and industrialists in Malout and Muktsar.

Badal blamed the AAP government for driving industry out of Punjab. “This government has not only failed the trade and industry but has overseen the flight of capital from Punjab and even failed to get any new investment for the State. We are committed to creating a congenial atmosphere for trade and industry in the State,” he said.

What did Sukhbir Badal promise industry?

Badal said a SAD government would give a boost to medium and small industries and encourage new investment. He said fixed power charges on industry would be removed completely, especially for seasonal units.

He said officials would not be allowed to enter any industrial unit, and that harassment of traders and industrialists by inspectors and GST officials would stop. “We will bring in lump sum taxation by reviving the Rahat scheme to make this possible,” he said.

He also said GST returns would be made simpler.

What did he promise arhtiyas?

Parminder Singh Khuddian of the Arhtiya Association said arhtiyas had lost part of their commission and were being harassed by transport contractors. He said they were also not being paid back for the labour charges they bear.

Badal said a SAD government would meet the arhtiyas’ demand to restore their commission to 2.5 per cent, as it was earlier. He said timely lifting of food grains and building more storage capacity would be a top priority.

What is the Build Punjab department?

Several trade bodies also raised their problems with Badal. They included Lakhbir Singh Khuddian of the Agricultural Implements Association, Robinpreet Brar of the Builders and Colonizers Association, Jaspal Singh Jassa of the Goldsmith Association and Satnam Singh of the Focal Point Association.

Badal said a Build Punjab department would be set up to solve problems related to GST, CLU charges and NOCs. He said it would be modelled on the Invest Punjab department set up by the earlier SAD-led government.

He said a one-time settlement scheme would be brought in for all irregular colonies, and development charges and bank guarantees would be rationalised.

Relief for pesticide dealers and goldsmiths

Badal told the Pesticides Association that dealers would not be held responsible for poor-quality pesticides or seeds they sell, and that action would be taken against the manufacturer alone. He told goldsmiths they would not face police harassment.

“One wrong decision could waste five more years”

Badal asked the gathering to think carefully about who should be the next chief minister. “You must choose someone who knows your problems and has a proven track record. One wrong decision could result in wasting five more years,” he said.

He asked traders to compare the work of the earlier SAD government with that of the Congress government that followed and the present AAP government. “If the SAD has made Punjab power surplus, created a world class road network, built airports and brought in investment into the State, then you should bring in a SAD government in the next elections,” he said.

Senior SAD leaders Harpreet Singh Kotbhai and Kanwarjit Singh Rozy Barkandi, Punjab Beopar Mandal president Amit Kapoor and Mohit Gupta were also present.