Udyog Kranti: Mann, Kejriwal launch portal for 45-day approval to industry

Indian Express

a day ago

Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) supremo Arvind Kejriwal Tuesday launched a set of 12 initiatives as part of 'Punjab Udyog Kranti' to 'revolutionise' industrial growth in state, including ensuring all required approvals to investors within 45 days of filling application, and action against officers and officials concerned in case of any delay. They also launched the 'FastTrack Punjab Portal', set up for the purpose.
'If you want to set up a new project, start a new business, expand your business or diversify business and you apply on the portal, you will get all approvals within 45 days,' said Kejriwal.
Kejriwal said many clearances had notified timelines of 60 to 120 working days, and actual processing often took even longer, creating unpredictability in project execution.
The AAP national convener said all the concerned departments will inform within seven days of filling an application for a project about any shortcomings in the proposal. Thereafter, no fresh objection can be raised in connection with the proposal. He said thereafter the government would take action against an officer who did not approve the application.
'If you are not given an approval within 45 days, then automatically you will get deemed approval,' Kejriwal said, adding thereafter the state government would take action against the officer concerned who did not approve the application.
'This will be personally monitored by the chief secretary. An officer has to give an explanation if he does not take action within 45 days. Everyone will be on their toes,' he added.
'I understand that it is a historic move,' said Kejriwal, adding this 'accountability-backed, system-driven reform' makes Punjab a national model in investor facilitation surpassing even the most industrialised states such as Telangana, Karnataka (both Congress governed), Gujarat, Maharasthra (both BJP governed) and Tamil Nadu.
Kejriwal said in another initiative, Punjab is now easing the processes for issuing building plan approvals and structural stability certificates as this used to be hugely time consuming and expensive for investors.
Now the state government is introducing a self-certification system, he informed.
Industrialists can get their building plan approved by any architect and the state government will accept the same. Similarly, he said the industrialists can get their building stability certificate issued by any qualified civil or structural engineer and the state government will accept it.
There will be no more unnecessary inspections and running behind the government for approvals, he added.
He also announced to simplify norms for issuing fire safety non-objectionable certificates (NOCs), saying a self-certification system is being introduced and the fire drawings made by empanelled architects shall be accepted by the government.
Validity of fire NOCs for industry has been revised from one year to three to five years on the basis of risk classification with only hazardous industries requiring annual NOC, he said The former delhi chief minister said for the first time in India, Punjab is launching a digitally delivered land feasibility certificate, issued by the Circle Revenue Officer (CRO)/ Tehsildar within a notified timeline of 15 working days.
Kejriwal said Punjab's new plot sub-division policy allows easy division of industrial plots among family members, co-developers, or joint ventures, giving businesses the flexibility to monetise or redevelop land according to evolving needs.
He said another important initiative addresses a long-standing industry demand, allowing conversion of leasehold plots into freehold plots.
He further informed of another landmark initiative in which over Rs 250 crore will be disbursed towards industry incentives.
The state government is clearing all the backlog of incentives to be paid to investors, he said, adding that Rs 150 crore has already been disbursed since April 2025. By the end of this month, a total of Rs 250 crore will be disbursed, which will be a record in Punjab's history.
He said the state government will invest Rs 300 crore in focal point infrastructural upgrades by November.
Kejriwal said 'Punjab Udyog Kranti' will take the state and its industry towards greater heights and realize the vision of 'Rangla Punjab'.
Mann said 'FastTrack Punjab Portal' is the backbone of a re-imagined initial governance model. He reiterated that these reforms are the beginning of a movement and not the end.
He said till now industrialists were considered as ATMs for elections. Industrialists used to fund the traditional parties for just securing the right to work, so that they do not face any harassment, he said, adding that after assuming power, his government took several initiatives to facilitate the industrialists. He said that Punjab became the first state to launch unique colour coded stamp papers, to facilitate the entrepreneurs for setting up their units. Mann said that any industrialist keen on setting his unit in the state can get this unique colour coded stamp paper from Invest Punjab Portal. He said that industrialists will have to just pay various fees required for getting clearances in form of CLU, forest, pollution, fire and other to set up the unit while purchasing this single stamp paper only. After purchasing the stamp paper, the industrialist will get all the necessary clearances from all the departments within 15 days to set up his unit, he said, adding that several states have approached Punjab government asking for the model to replicate it.
Mann said that his government had inherited a system when the industry from the state was fleeing and the industries were fed up with the extortion system that prevailed during the previous regimes. However, Mann said, his government 'restored the faith of industrialists' by providing them an friendly atmosphere coupled with a good law and order situation. He said this is contrary to the situation when during previous regimes the leaders used to seek shares in the ventures. Mann said that earlier the MoUs were signed with the political families in power but now these agreements are signed for progress and prosperity of the state.