MOHALI, June 10– The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-led Punjab government today launched “Punjab Udyog Kranti,” an ambitious initiative hailed as the nation’s first industrial revolution of its kind. Following its “Sikhiya” campaign, this new program is designed to simplify, reduce, and expedite the regulatory processes essential for establishing industries within the state. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal inaugurated the “Fastrack Punjab portal” here, a system they assert will eliminate widespread corruption and bureaucratic hurdles.
Addressing a gathering of industry and business leaders at a private university in Sector 82A this afternoon, Kejriwal announced a key feature of the portal: “In case you don’t get the permissions within 45 days, the portal will automatically issue you a deemed approval certificate on the 46th day, with which you can begin your industry.”
Kejriwal further elaborated on the accountability built into the system. For instances of deemed approval, he stated, “The government will launch internal investigation to find out which official and why the permissions and compliances were not issued within 45 days. In all such cases, the officials found wanting will be taken to task after being asked to explain the reasons for the same.” He also raised a caution to the state’s bureaucracy against engaging in red-tape and corrupt practices.
To ensure strict adherence to the new timelines, Kejriwal underscored that applications submitted through the portal will undergo close scrutiny by the Chief Minister’s office, with the Chief Secretary personally monitoring all cases to prevent any unwarranted delays or inconveniences for investors and industrialists.
Significantly, investment proposals involving machinery and plant valued at 125 crore rupees, with land and construction costs totaling the capital investment to 200 crore rupees, will no longer require initial permission to establish a base in the state. Kejriwal noted, “This is already provided in the Right to Business Act but nobody has yet taken benefit of it as the babus don’t let anyone bypass their authority.” He declared that all such applications filed via the new portal will be cleared and approved within three days.
The “Punjab Udyog Kranti” also introduces an exemption from approvals for site and building plans for industries. Kejriwal stated, “We will issue a long list of government empanelled architects and civil engineers, who will be empowered to approve your site and building plans,” emphasizing that the existing process for these approvals often involves significant red tape and widespread corruption.
Describing the new platform, Kejriwal asserted, “This portal will be a real single window for applications and approvals to set up industry in the state.” He contrasted this with other states, alleging, “Many states and governments keep claiming having single windows, but they are not practical at all.” He also added that with this new system, investors and industrialists will no longer be required to visit any government office or meet any official to obtain approvals in Punjab. Both Chief Minister Mann and Kejriwal also unveiled several other announcements designed to foster industrial growth and investment opportunities across the state.
