CHANDIGARH:Reiterating his demand for special incentives from the central government to boost investment and industry in Punjab, especially in the border districts and Kandi areas, Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Monday sought Union Minister Piyush Goyal’s personal intervention in the matter.
In a letter to the Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal, the Chief Minister said such incentives had been already extended to the neighbouring states of Jammu & Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh, in terms of income tax exemption, Central Goods and Sales Tax reimbursement and freight subsidies.
Pointing out that due to certain inherent factors like land-locked position of the state, long and hostile border with neighbouring country, history of turmoil due to externally sponsored terrorism and incentives given to neighbouring states, Punjab has suffered and needed special incentives on the lines of J&K and Himachal Pradesh.
Underlining his commitment to attract more and more investments to the state from both within and outside the country, the Chief Minister emphasised the need for inclusive growth by improving the employment opportunities in Punjab. His Government had, after extensive stake holder consultation with industries, formulated a very progressive Industrial and Business Development Policy with attractive incentives to new and existing industrial units so as to attract new Industrial investments in the state, he added.
The Chief Minister congratulated Goyal for initiating discussions on a new Industrial Policy in consultation with the states.