CII Hails Punjab Govt's Welfare Oriented Budget

By 1 2 1 News Reporter

Chandigarh 16^th July:- CII welcomed the Punjab State Annual Budget for 2014 -15. Complementing the Finance Minister & state Government for presenting a balanced and welfare oriented Budget, Sanjeev Pahwa, Chairman, CII Punjab State Council & Managing Director, Ralson India Limited remarked that, the focus of the budget seems more towards social sector development with emphasis towards development of Infrastructure in Power, Roads, Rural Water Supply & Sanitation, Skill Development & Health. As no new Budgetary announcements or allocations have been done to promote either new or existing Industry on the pretext of the provisions announced in the newly released Punjab Investment Policy 2013. Sanjeev Pahwa hoped that Government will do well, if it implements the provisions of its New Industrial & Investment policy 2013 in letter and spirit.

Harish Chavan, Vice Chairman, CII Punjab State Council & Chief Operating Officer, Mahindra & Mahindra (FES) complimented the state Government's decision to invest in developing the human resource of the state by setting up a Multi Skill Development Centre under PPP mode in Ludhiana. He also appreciated the Government's intent to develop Physical Infrastructure of Roads & Bridges including earmarking Rs 500 Crores for rural link roads & upgradation of rural roads. He suggested that the state Government may like to allocate some money for strengthening Physical Infrastructure in Focal Points, Industrial Areas & also around Industry located in rural areas.

D L Sharma, Past Chairman CII Punjab State Council & Director Vardhman Textiles Limited lauded the state Government's focus towards addressing the issues of Drug de addiction, providing affordable healthcare, and developing the human resource of the state by skilling the youth. He hoped this would go long way in creating productive manpower as per Industry requirements and bridging the Industry academia gap.

Pikender Pal Singh, Regional Director, Northern Region, complimented the Finance Minister for doing a reasonable job by walking the tightrope considering the given fiscal constraints. He appreciated the Minister's intent to go for financial consolidation besides the setting up of institutes such as AIIMS, IIM and developing new smart cities will help in unlocking tremendous growth potential of the state.