New Delhi: AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Friday launched 24 sectoral committees with the aim of replacing the Industrial Governance model of Punjab. Committees will be responsible for drafting policies for each region, from bureaucracy to business owners, will move decision making power for both big and small.Kejriwal said at the launch event in Chandigarh, “Now policies will be made by the owners of small and big businesses; the government will implement them.” “The true politics of AAP is handing back power to people – it is about participation, not control.”Each committee will consist of MSME representatives, officials of the big business and Punjab Bureau of Industrial Investment and District Industries Centers. According to CM Bhagwant Mann, the idea was proposed during the Government-Industry Counseling held in September 2023.
No approval for MSMEs is required to 125 CR: Kejriwal
Kejriwal highlighted new measures to reduce regulatory obstacles for industries in the state. He said, “Now, approval is being given in 45 days in Punjab, and there is no need to give any approval to the investment up to Rs 125 crore by MSMES,” he said.He claimed that this model represents a break from the previous regime. “Earlier, the system in Punjab had punished entrepreneurs for their development – they were threatened and thrown out,” he said.
‘Exploiter’ from past to participating governance
Describing the infection in the stages, Kejriwal said, “Before 2022 – a corrupt, exploiting system inherited by AAP. 2022–2025 – Improvement phase under an honest government. Now – a revolutionary model of governance led by industry.”“We don’t know how to run a textile unit or to build sports equipment. Neither the officer. But still, politicians take all decisions, and people run around us, “He said.” That system has now gone. ,Kejriwal urged the stakeholders of the industry not to focus on subsidy. He said, “Subsidies are not durable. If the profit depends on them, the day subsidy stops, so the benefit is,” he said, innovation and instead they are calling for ease of doing business.
Industrial bodies asked to submit draft policies by 2 October
Regional committees are expected to study national and international policies and submit their sector-specific drafts by 2 October. “Make Punjab the most attractive state for investment in every field. It is a new governance model – the government is stepping back to lead people,” Kejriwal said.Maan, while echoing Bhavna, said that the AAP government was committed to reversing Punjab’s economic decline. “The previous governments looted Punjab, but the AAP government will realize the dream of making Punjab alive again,” he said.While responding to criticism about delayed approval, Kejriwal said: “Some say that if you delay the approval, people will return with bribe, and thus party funds are raised. But we do not want that. Our only goal is the development of Punjab.”
