Congress demands white paper on Industrial State of affairs in Punjab: Bajwa
Monday, 19/08/2013
http://www.punjabnewsline.com/punjab/congress-demands-white-paper-on-industrial-state-of-affairs-in-punjab-bajwa/85123
CHANDIGARH: S. Partap Singh Bajwa, President Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee in a statement said that “We sought no clarifications please give us none, Industrial houses in Punjab are at the mercy of “Balbanised” Akali Dal and they cannot afford to speak their real feelings publicly. The accusation by Punjab congress that business houses are being coerced and fleeced are based on authenticated and reliable information, as no one will report it through a written affidavit because of the fear of being victimised.”
Raising a finger on the Industrial Policy of SAD-BJP Government S. Bajwa said further said that “It is a fact that Punjab has missed out in industrialisation since the advent of Akali BJP rule in Punjab six years back. No worthwhile industrial house has dared to venture into Punjab to make it as their production hub. Most of the established industrial houses in Punjab have gone out to state to implement their expansion plan. This has happened due to emergence of multiple factors primary being lack of infrastructure support and fear of political victimisation. More than seventy five percent of MOU’s signed by Punjab Government since last six years remain a paper exercise.
As per information available Punjab has received about just 20 per cent of the proposed investment amounting to Rs 63,852.40 crore with mega housing and industrial projects cornering the major share since 2007-08. The investment proposals received during the period, included Rs 5,652 crore in 11 mega housing projects, Rs 52,614.12 crore in 98 mega industrial projects, Rs 5,352.48 crore in 40 farm mega projects and Rs 233.80 crore in non-conventional energy projects. However, out of total investments proposals, actual investments which have come so far in the state stand at Rs 12,494.20 crore in April this year. Actual investments in super mega integrated industrial park projects, which were approved in year 2008 is just Rs 2,257.40 crore so far against the proposed investment of Rs 23,999 crore. So where is industrialisation of state?”
S. Bajwa said “It is no bravado to get an industrial house sign the dotted line just to counter political accusation, the fact remains that no industry is ready to come to Punjab out fear of Akali Government and the existing ones fear to invest in Punjab. Let Punjab government come out in black and white on the both the new industrial houses that have come to Punjab to set up their industries and the existing one who have expanded in Punjab. Let the people judge if we have really industrialised or are our industries dying due to government apathy.”
