After two years, Punjab's green stamp paper initiative remains mostly ‘on paper' in Ludhiana
Ludhiana: A Punjab govt initiative once touted as a fast-track route for industrial project approvals is struggling to take root, with fewer than a dozen registrations made via the "green stamp paper" scheme in this city nearly two years after its launch.
Chief minister Bhagwant Mann introduced the green colour-coded stamp paper system in 2022, claiming it would cut red tape significantly for industrialists by guaranteeing all necessary clearances within two weeks. The stamp paper was meant to serve as a one-stop approval document, bundling permissions from departments including town planning (CLU), forest, fire, and pollution control authorities.
However, officials now admit the scheme has seen limited success on the ground. According to sources in the district administration, only a handful of green stamp paper registries have been completed in Ludhiana since its inception. One major reason, they say, is that a large portion of the city's industrial sector falls under the 'hazardous industry' category — an area not eligible for the green stamp paper process.
The initiative was originally designed to offer industrialists land feasibility assessments before registration. Applicants were to apply via the Invest Punjab portal or in person, with the CLU team delivering clearances within ten days. Upon clearance, they would be issued a green stamp paper incorporating all required departmental approvals.
But industry leaders say the system is bogged down by duplication. "Even after using green stamp paper, industrialists often have to reapply for approvals and pay the same fees again," said Ashpreet Singh, former chairman of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Ludhiana chapter. "This defeats the purpose of a streamlined clearance process." He added that the business community had recommended integrating the green stamp paper model with Punjab's Right to Business Act, introduced in 2021. That act allows provisional clearance from four departments, giving industries up to 3.5 years to secure full approvals post setup.
A senior govt official confirmed the integration proposal is under consideration. "We are actively reviewing this suggestion, and a formal proposal has been submitted to the relevant department," the official said. While the green stamp paper scheme aimed to be a game-changer in simplifying industrial development, its future may now depend on whether it can be restructured to overcome bureaucratic hurdles — and gain the trust of the business community it was designed to help.
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