A delegation of the Federation of Industrial & Commercial Organization (FICO) under the leadership of S. Gurmeet Singh Kular President FICO and Sh. Rajeev Jain General Secretary FICO met S. Bhagwant Singh Mann Honorable Chief Minister Punjab and submitted a written Memorandum regarding the industrial issues seeking immediate resolution. FICO demanded to save the existing industry of Punjab:
1. Save Existing Industry
There is a dire need to save the existing industry established in Punjab, fulfill the incentives for the existing industry also must be provided as according to the latest industrial policy of Punjab, there is a clause to invest 50% of its original fixed capital investment only then the incentive will be eligible, that too on the additional amount increased in FCI, this should be abolished and benefits rather should be available to any industry based on what so ever investment they make in its fixed capital, that too multiple time incentive benefits must be available, The government should encourage inter-state competition, not competition within the state.
2. Abolish Incremental Incentive:
There is a clause in the draft policy that states that the incentive is available on an incremental basis, which means, if an existing industry invests in increasing its existing installed capacity, then the incentive is available on the increased consumption as per the electricity invoice. But this scenario does not stand true, in case the industrial units implement energy efficiency. In this case, the consumption of electricity will fall, and incentives will not be available. You are requested to abolish this clause.
3. Incentive Capping:
Punjab Government has restricted the incentive to Rs. 50 Lakh Only, whereas the adjoining states like Jammu & Kashmir are felicitating the industry with much more and higher incentives up to Rs. 5 Crore. The government of Punjab should reconsider.
4. Fixed Capital Investment – Incentive:
The incentive under the Punjab Industrial and Business Development Policy 2022 must be provided based on the Fixed Capital Investment only, whether the unit is new or existing, this will not only encourage the existing industrial units to enhance their production capacity but also this will remove the competition within the state amongst new and existing industrial units.
5. Bio-Degradable Plastics Products:
The Government of India has allowed the Manufacturing of Plastic Carry bags with a minimum of 75 Microns, but the Government of Punjab has banned the manufacturing of any kind of plastic carry bags. Whereas the carry bags and single-use plastic items manufactured in Delhi, Gujrat and other areas of the country are easily available in our market. Sir, imposing a ban and making people out of business is not a solution, rather government of Punjab should allow the manufacturing of Bio-Degradable Carry Bags with a Minimum of 50 Micros.
It is requested that Bio-Degradable Plastic Products as per Indian Standard IS 17899 T : 2022 must be allowed as developed countries like United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, etc. are using Bio-Degradable Plastic Products
Already, 650 Industrial Units manufacturing Plastic Items are shut down due to the ban. The industry should also be allowed to manufacture Bio-Degradable Bags & Single-Use Plastic Items, which do not have any ill-effect on the environment. As Bonafide citizens of Punjab, we request the government to make all the bags Bio-Degradable compulsory whether it is commercial or industrial.
6. One District One Product:
Ludhiana is already an Industrial hub for manufacturing Bicycles and their parts. The government should provide special incentives to attract more investment in the bicycle sector.
