Save industry in the mixed land use areas and designate mixed land use industry as it is: FICO

Ludhiana, January 3, 2023: A Delegation of the Federation of Industrial & Commercial Organization (FICO) under the leadership of Gurmeet Singh Kular President along with Rajeev Jain General Secretary FICO along with Sandeep Khosla President Plastic Processing Industrial Association, Amritsar met Dilip Kumar Principal Secretary, Department of Industries & Commerce, Punjab; demanded an immediate resolution to the issue of industries established in the Mixed Land Use Area of Ludhiana. Also present was Vivek Pratap Singh, Principal Secretary Department of Local Bodies, Punjab. 

The delegation explained that more than 75 % of the Total Bicycle & Sewing Machine Industry of India, operates from Ludhiana, out of which 90 % operates from the Mixed Land Use Areas and are registered under MSME and have been working for the last 60-70 years, these small units are the suppliers of the mandatory products to large units, with workshops on the Ground Floor and Residence on First Floors, it is a big challenge to shift these industries to industrial zones. The last date for shifting the industry from the MLU area is 18th Sept. 2023. For the efficient growth of Ludhiana, these industrial units must be provided relief to operate from Mixed Land Use areas.

Further, if the government is planning to shift such industries, a systematic approach is required, migration scheme for all such industries should be proposed where they get all benefits of Invest Punjab for the period of five years without any expansion or modernization, this will help in their organic growth & increased revenues to the government.

The delegation also said that all states of India, other than Punjab, Himachal Pradesh & Tripura; have not banned the manufacturing of Bio-Degradable carry bags and single-use products as per the guidelines of the Central Pollution Control Board. The plastic in heavy quantities is coming from other states and being sold in Punjab. but the manufacturers of Punjab have shut down their operations to comply with the guidelines of Govt. of Punjab. it is disheartening to know that more than 650 industries in Punjab have been shut down in the last 4 months. It is requested that the government of Punjab should hand hold the industry of Punjab and allow the manufacturing of Bio-Degradable Carry Bags and SUPs must be started in Punjab. 

In reply, Dilip Kumar said that Punjab Government is working towards the same, and soon the guidelines for the manufacturing of Bio-Degradable Carry Bags and Single Use Items will be released, and the industry will be felicitated.