5th January 2022

 

 

Topic: Punjab Government Scheme.

 

Importance: Punjab PCS Mains

 

What is the Scheme?

• Punjab CM Channi launches employment guarantee scheme.

 

Purpose:

• Punjab Government Rozgar Guarantee for Youth (PRAGTY) scheme that promises to generate 1 lakh government jobs each year for youngsters, a development that comes as his government pushes for re-election this year.
• The decision is aimed at securing jobs, jobs abroad and coaching facilities, vocational training, self-employment and competitive examinations.

(Source: Punjab Government)

 

 

Topic: Punjab Economy Growth Initiative.

 

Importance: Punjab PCS Mains

 

What is the Scheme?

• The government of Punjab recently concluded Investors’ Summit 2021 was based on the theme of Progressive Punjab- Story of Partnership, Delivery and Growth.

 

Simplified Process:

• Punjab has a unique investor facilitation model with a one-stop-office- Invest Punjab that acts as a unified regulator with an online single window system for industry to obtain all clearances, services and incentives.
• Government of Punjab has now also set up District Bureaus of Industry and Investment Promotion, inaugurated during the summit, for even better facilitation at district level. Further the government has taken many recent initiatives like Punjab Right to Business Act 2020, Punjab Anti Red-Tape Act 2021, Automatic Deemed Clearances etc. to reduce compliance burden and promote ease of doing business.
• Punjab’s Business First policy is an endeavor to provide a truly non-intrusive environment for investors, with the Government acting as a facilitator and enabler.
• Hon’ble CM also announced relaxation in the rules and simplification of process that are deemed to reduce compliance burden on industry.
• These decisions include scrapping 40,000 of the 48,000 pending VAT cases related to FY 2014-15, 2015-16 and 2016-17, abolishment of the institutional tax, reduction in number of mobile squads from 14 to only 4, reduction in fixed charges on electricity connections for the micro, small and medium industry, having load to 100 KVA by 50%, simplification of the procedure for change of land use, and relaxation in rules for width of approach road for industries from current 6 karam to 4 karam etc.
• Besides, he also announced a one-time settlement (OTS) scheme for the defaulters to be introduced in Punjab State Industrial Development Corporation (PSIDC), Punjab Financial Corporation (PFC) and Punjab Agro Industries Corporation (PAIC) and an amnesty scheme to be introduced for the plot holders of the Punjab State Industries Export Corporation (PSIEC).
• Further, as per the demands of the industry, it was announced that INR 150 crore will be spent on upgrading the infrastructure in the industrial focal points, a new exhibition center will be set up in Amritsar, a new Film City will be set up in Mohali and Halwara airport will be completed within 8 months.

 

Purpose of Summit:

• Punjab primarily an agrarian economy is now fast emerging as a hub of industrial activity, due to the government’s efforts towards creating a conducive policy ecosystem and the trust put forth by the investors. Through this summit, the Government of Punjab highlighted its journey of industrial growth, achieved in partnership with the industry at every step from planning to the implementation and strong delivery of major reforms to position Punjab as one of the easiest places to do business.

(Source: Punjab Government)

 

Some More News:

• Punjab Cabinet led by Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi approved to give Rs. 1000 for one time, except Rs. 1500 pension to elderly, widows, under the leadership of Chief Minister Charanjith Singh Channi. Guru Ravidas Bani Study Center Committee, Dera Sachkhand 25 crore rupees should be released to the balls Approval of and Transparency Rules in Punjab Public Procurement, Approval of 2022.