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Business Standard
05-07-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Punjab govt to introduce anti-sacrilege law in special Assembly session
The Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab government has announced plans to table a new law against sacrilege during a special session of the state legislative assembly scheduled for July 10 and 11, news agency ANI reported. The decision is being described by the state as 'historic for Punjab' and is aimed at addressing the longstanding demand for stricter laws against sacrilegious acts. Officials confirmed that the proposed legislation will ensure strict punishment for individuals found guilty of hurting religious sentiments, ANI reported. Mann launches 'fast track Punjab portal' Speaking at an event in Mohali, Kejriwal called the initiative 'unprecedented' and said it sets Punjab apart from other states in terms of governance and economic policy. 'When Bhagwant Mann and I visited Punjab, we met traders and received their proposals. After listening and understanding their concerns, we made this decision,' Kejriwal said. 'We want traders who left Punjab to return and work here. Our intent is clear, and that's why we are making this announcement. Our government's policy is entirely different from the current politics of the country.' He emphasised the need for a business-friendly environment where industrialists can concentrate on growth rather than bureaucratic hurdles. 'No government in any state has made such announcements until today,' Kejriwal added. According to Kejriwal, businesses can now apply for approvals through the Invest Punjab Portal, with guaranteed processing timelines: 45 days for most projects and just three days for those up to ₹125 crore. 'No running around, no delays, no corruption. Punjab is ready for your industry's new journey,' he said. Punjab reports 44% growth in June GST collections Punjab witnessed a significant rise in its net Goods and Services Tax (GST) collections in June 2025, registering a 44.44 per cent year-on-year increase, news agency PTI reported. Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said that the state collected ₹2,379.90 crore in June, up from ₹1,647.69 crore in the same month last year. 'Punjab has surpassed the national average in GST growth and emerged as one of the top-performing states, despite ongoing national and geopolitical challenges, including border-related tensions,' Cheema said. He added that the state also recorded a 15.35 per cent increase in April and a 24.59 per cent rise in May. For the first quarter of FY26, Punjab's net GST revenue reached ₹6,830.40 crore, up from ₹5,377.75 crore in the corresponding quarter of the previous year. Punjab approves ₹68 crore loan waiver for Dalit families Last month, the Punjab Cabinet approved a ₹68 crore loan waiver for over 4,000 Dalit families. The beneficiaries had taken loans from the Punjab Scheduled Castes Land Development and Finance Corporation. The approval was granted during a cabinet meeting chaired by Mann in Chandigarh. The waiver will cover loans taken up to March 31, 2020. Addressing the media after the meeting, Mann said the move would benefit 4,727 families who had borrowed for various livelihood activities, including shop setups and dairy farming. 'This promise was made by Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema during his budget speech in March. With this cabinet nod, we have delivered on that commitment,' Mann said. (With agency inputs)
India Gazette
05-07-2025
- Business
- India Gazette
Punjab: Mann govt to pass law against sacrilege in assembly session
Chandigarh (Punjab) [India], July 5 (ANI): The Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab government on Saturday decided to introduce and pass a law against sacrilege during a special session of the state legislative assembly scheduled for July 10 and 11. This move marks a major step toward fulfilling a long-standing demand of the people of Punjab for stricter laws to address sacrilege cases in the state. The announcement came from the state government, describing the upcoming assembly session as 'historic for Punjab.' Officials confirmed that the government will present a new legislation aimed at curbing acts of sacrilege and ensuring strict punishment for those involved in hurting religious sentiments. The official added that the Mann government will fulfil the demand of the people of Punjab. Meanwhile, Bhagwant Mann, along with Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal, on Tuesday announced the launch of the 'Fast Track Punjab Portal'. The portal aims to simplify the process of starting new businesses, setting up projects, and expanding industries in the state. Addressing a gathering in Mohali, Kejriwal said the initiative is unprecedented in India and reflects his government's distinct policy approach, which is different from the prevailing national politics. 'When Bhagwant Mann and I visited Punjab, we met traders and received their proposals. After listening and understanding their concerns, we made this decision. We want traders who left Punjab to return and work here. Our intent is clear, and that's why we are making this announcement. Our government's policy is entirely different from the current politics of the country,' Kejriwal said. He stressed the need for a business-friendly environment in which industrialists can focus 90 per cent of their time on business growth rather than running around government offices. Describing the portal as a historic step, Kejriwal said, 'No government in any state has made such announcements until today. Starting a new business, setting up a project, or expanding an industry in Punjab has now become extremely easy. Just apply on the Invest Punjab Portal, and all approvals will be granted within 45 days. For projects up to Rs. 125 crore, approvals will be given in just three days. No running around, no delays, no corruption. Punjab is ready for your industry's new journey.' (ANI)
Time of India
21-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
‘Punjab to lead India's industrial transformation'
1 2 3 Ludhiana: The Bharat Manufacturing and Export Summit 2025 concluded successfully Saturday, cementing the city's role as a cornerstone of India's industrial landscape. Punjab finance minister Harpal Singh Cheema was the chief guest of the event, organised by MSME Sampark. The summit called upon govt officials, industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators to drive discussions on enhancing India's manufacturing and export capabilities, with a focus on the micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSME) ecosystem. Cheema underscored Punjab's commitment to fostering a robust industrial environment through initiatives like the fast-track single window system and the Invest Punjab Portal, designed to streamline processes and boost MSME growth. He emphasised the state's proactive measures to enhance ease of doing business, including financial incentives, infrastructure upgrades, and policies to support sustainable industrial practices. "Punjab is poised to lead India's industrial transformation by empowering MSMEs with innovative policies and seamless access to resources," Cheema said, reinforcing the state's dedication to economic progress. TNN
Hindustan Times
11-06-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Kejriwal, Mann launch ‘FastTrack' portal to spur industrial growth
Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Singh Mann and AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday launched the 'FastTrack Punjab Portal' aimed at ensuring that an investor gets all the required approvals within 45 days of applying to start new businesses, setting up projects and expanding industries in the state. Addressing a gathering during the launch of the portal here, Mann and Kejriwal rolled out 12 initiatives under Punjab Udyog Kranti, branding them as the 'biggest industrial reforms in 75 years.' Mann emphasised that the initiative aims to boost both revenue and employment opportunities. 'We want industrialists to grow and employment to increase. When your revenue rises, you'll set up more industries, creating more jobs. We will fill the treasury and provide jobs,' he stated. Kejriwal said all approvals for an industrial project will be given within 45 days. 'If one does not get approvals within 45 days, then an investor will get deemed approval for his project automatically,' the former Delhi chief minister said. 'If you want to set up a new project, start a new business, expand your business or diversify business and you apply on the 'Invest Punjab Portal', you will get time-bound approvals,' Kejriwal said calling it the 'end of corruption and nepotism. Kejriwal hailed the deemed approval system as a game changer and said: 'Investors will no longer run from pillar to post. Everyone will be on their toes now. The software will ensure action is taken against the one who held up the file.' Kejriwal outlined how accountability is being hardwired into the system. 'Once initial objections are cleared approvals must be given within the stipulated time. If delays occur, the matter will be escalated to the chief secretary level. An internal probe will be then launched to identify the officer responsible for the delay,' he said. Mann shared that the system enables entrepreneurs to pay for all statutory clearances (change of land use (CLU), forest, pollution, fire, etc.) via a single stamp paper. 'Clearances are granted within 15 days through the Invest Punjab Portal,' Mann said. Kejriwal also announced a self-certification system for building plans, structural safety, and fire NOCs—eliminating bottlenecks. 'For the first time, investors can focus on business,' he said. Mann said that the scope of the Right to Business Act has been expanded to cover investments up to ₹125 crore, with in-principle approvals given within 3 to 15 days, depending on location. Kejriwal announced that ₹250 crore in incentives will be disbursed this quarter— five times what the previous Congress government managed in five years. Kejriwal further informed that the state government will invest ₹300 crore in upgrading infrastructure across industrial focal points by November 2025. 'Those who left Punjab due to corruption and harassment must return. We are building a new Punjab—transparent, competitive, and corruption-free,' Kejriwal said. Linking industrialisation to social reform, Mann said, 'We want to hand tiffins to our youth, not syringes. The job creation is a solution to Punjab's drug problem.' BOX Strategic initiatives Unified digital gateway for industry Single entry and exit for all clearances Timeline for approvals capped at 45 days Post 45 days, portal to auto-generate legally valid deemed approval Projects up to ₹125-cr to get approval in 3 days Online self-certification Fire NOC now valid for 1, 3 and 5 years based on risk classification Fire drawings made by empanelled architects to be accepted Height limit of industry buildings increased to 21m 53-point checklist eliminated
India Gazette
10-06-2025
- Business
- India Gazette
Punjab CM, Arvind Kejriwal launch 'Fast Track Punjab Portal' for ease of doing business, boost industry in state
Mohali (Punjab) [India], June 10 (ANI): Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday launched the 'Fast Track Punjab Portal', which aims to simplify the process of starting new businesses, setting up projects, and expanding industries in the state. Speaking on the occasion, Mann alleged that earlier governments treated industrialists like ATM machines and extracted election funds from them. 'Industrialists were so harassed that they would say, 'Forget it, we won't set up industries here.' Some moved to Madhya Pradesh, others to Himachal Pradesh. But now, industrialists can identify land and apply through the Punjab Invest Portal. Within two weeks, all clearances will be granted, and the registry will be completed. You can start your industry within 24 hours,' he said. Mann emphasised that the initiative aims to boost both revenue and employment opportunities. 'We want industrialists' to grow and employment to increase. When your revenue rises, you'll set up more industries, creating more jobs. Previous governments had a share in every sector. Mandi Gobindgarh, once Asia's largest iron market, now looks like a deserted city. They always claimed the treasury was empty, but we never said that. We will fill the treasury and provide jobs,' he stated. He said industralists are 'annadatas' like farmers but some people are afraid because of previous governments. 'We have released budget for constructing 19,000 km of link roads in Punjab and are opening skill development centres to ensure you get skilled workers right here,' he added. Kejriwal said the initiative is unprecedented in India and reflects his government's distinct policy approach. 'We met traders and received their proposals. After listening and understanding their concerns, we made this decision. We want traders who left Punjab to return and work here. Our intent is clear, and that's why we are making this announcement,' Kejriwal said. He emphasised creating a business-friendly environment where industrialists can focus 90 per cent of their time on business growth rather than running around government offices. 'Simple policies, quick approvals, and an honest system--this is the identity of the new Punjab. When industries grow, Punjab will progress,' he added. Highlighting the significance of the portal, Kejriwal described it as a 'historic' move, stating, 'No government in any state has made such announcements until today. Starting a new business, setting up a project, or expanding an industry in Punjab has now become extremely easy. Just apply on the Invest Punjab Portal, and all approvals will be granted within 45 days. For projects up to Rs. 125 crore, approvals will be given in just three days. No running around, no delays, no corruption. Punjab is ready for your industry's new journey.' (ANI)
