Save Punjab’s industry and promote industrial investment in Punjab: FICO to FM Punjab

Ludhiana, August 11, 2023: Today, a delegation of the Federation of Industrial and Commercial Organisation (FICO) under the leadership of Gurmeet Singh Kular, President, met Harpal Singh Cheema, Finance Minister Punjab, and discussed the industrial issues seeking immediate attention and resolution. The following points were brought to the notice of Punjab FM. 

PSIEC’S ENCHANTMENT CASE OF FOCAL POINT PHASE VIII
Over the years, the PSIEC has been issuing multiple notices for seeking enhancement on the already allotted plots, despite taking 100% anticipatory enhancement, which now, with the inclusion of interest and other charges, has reached around Rs. 1000 per square yard, which is totally unjustified and unviable. Further, this is to inform you that due to the Pendency of the PSIEC Enhancement, the plot holders are suffering a lot, as all the works related to all financial institutes, including banks, are stagnant, as is the growth of the industry, as the financial institutes demand the Clearance Certificate from PSIEC. As per the No Enhancement Policy of the Government of Haryana, a similar No Enhancement Policy must also be introduced for PSIEC’s Plot Holders in Punjab. 

NOTIFICATION OF MIXED LAND USE AREAS:
On July 18, 2023, Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer, Cabinet Minister Punjab, provided relief and allowed an extension of another 5 years to the Industrial establishments' setup in the Mixed Land Use Areas of Ludhiana. But the same has not been notified yet. It is requested that the notification be released at the earliest.

FOCAL POINT'S LAND RESERVE PRICE:
The prices of industrial land are already very high in Punjab, which is a major hindrance in getting new investments even under the Invest Punjab Scheme, and a further increase in land reserve prices will be an additional burden on the industry itself. Many vacant plots are there in the focal points, and with the increase in reserve prices, the chances of getting new investments in them will also fade. There is a 50% increase in the land's reserve price, i.e., previously the reserve price was 10,000 per square yard, and now the reserve price has been increased to Rs. 15,000 per square yard, which is totally unjustified. It is requested that the Punjab Government and PSIEC immediately roll back the increased prices and allow the industry to flourish.

QUALITY POWER INSTEAD OF QUALITY METRES:
PSPCL has recently imposed Quality Metres on the Power Intensive Large Supply Connections, which will Harmonically pick the maximum load on every phase. The maximum load will be picked from a single phase, rather than the average of loads on all three phases. This will only increase the cost of electricity for the industries, which has been hiked twice in the past few months.
FICO demanded that the PSPCL focus on the quality of power that they are feeding the industry with as unscheduled power shedding, voltage fluctuations, and unplanned cuts are imposed on the industry, which is causing a huge financial loss to the industry.

WAIVER ON FIXED CHARGES FOR MSMEs:
The practice of a two-way Tariff by PSPCL is unjustified. When the industry is paying for the electricity units it has consumed, obtaining the fixed charges is unjustified; the fixed charges must be applicable only when there is no consumption. Moreover, the industry falling under the MSME Sector must be exempt from paying the fixed charges to boost industrial growth in the state of Punjab.