Union Minister promises relief to Ludhiana industry
Wednesday, 16/10/2013
http://www.tribuneindia.com/2013/20131016/punjab.htm#8
Ludhiana : KH Muniyappa, Union Minister for Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), said he was seized of the problems afflicting the Ludhiana industry and on how SAFTA was being misused by countries like China to dump thier goods in India.
The minister was speaking during an interaction with the small and medium entrepreneurs from Ludhiana here today. Muniyappa asked the Ludhiana industry to prepare a draft of their demands in consultation with Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Manish Tewari so that he could get it approved within the possible parameters.
On the cluster development programme, he said it was primarily the job of the state government to build clusters by providing the required infrastructure. He said: "Let the government submit a proposal. I will ensure it is approved within one month."
"We cannot live in isolation, but it is necessary that measures are taken to safeguard the interests of the local industry, particularly the small and medium enterprises," the minister said.
Manish Tewari sought exemption from central excise duty for bicycle and other light engineering manufacturers.
He said the Shiromani Akali Dal was part of the NDA government which gave special concessions to hill states. At that time, the SAD never objected to these concessions that adversely affected the Punjab industry, he added.
