Industrial Development Boards set up in Punjab

Chandigarh, Apr 19 (UNI) The Punjab Government today announced the formation of three Industrial Development Boards_one each for large, medium and small scale entrepreneurs, directly involving the leading players from industry in the decision making process of the government to create the industry-friendly climate in the state.

Simultaneously, two Traders Boards - one each for large scale and small scale traders - have been set up for encouraging and promoting trade activity in the state as also to involve representatives from the trade of all levels in facilitating and promoting business and trade in the state.

According to the Government notification, Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and Local Government, Industries and Commerce Minister Manoranjan Kalia will be the Chairman and Vice-Chairman respectively of the Large Industry Development Board which will include almost all leading industrialists of the state as members.

The Chairmen of Medium and Small Scale Industry Board will enjoy the status of Cabinet Minister while their Vice Chairmen will be in the rank of a Minister of State.

Similarly, the Chairmen of the two Traders Boards will also have the status of Cabinet Minister while their Vice Chairmen will enjoy the status of Minister of State.

Mr Harcharan Bains, Media Advisor to Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, said here today that the Government had issued a notification for the formation of these boards on April 15.

This is the first time in the history of the state that business, trade and industry have been accorded such official recognition and status, he said.

Mr Bains said the decision marks the fulfillment of a major commitment given by the SAD-BJP Alliance in their manifesto for the February 2007 assembly poll in the state.

He said said that while these boards will serve to bridge the gap between the policy makers within the government and the actual target group, it would also enable the captains of industry in the state to clinch tie up with their counterparts elsewhere in the country to set up joint ventures in Punjab.

Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal, MP, had invited professional and intellectual input from the leading lights from the world of industry to prepare the stage for a public-private participation in areas that had remained governmental domain.

"We are throwing our doors open to those who actually have stake in the promotion of trade and industry," said Mr Bains, adding that the government's decision is guided by a new philosophy and an entirely fresh perception on work ethos.

State Industries Minister Manoranjan Kalia has played a critical role in putting this philosophy into operation, he said.

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