Declare Mixed Land use as Permanent Industrial Area - FICO

Ludhiana, July 13, 2026: The Federation of Industrial & Commercial Organization (FICO) has urged the Punjab Government to address two long-pending issues concerning the industrial sector on priority. FICO called for a permanent policy for industries operating in Mixed Land Use (MLU) Areas ahead of the expiry of the existing Consent to Operate (CTO) in September 2026. The organization also sought immediate resolution of the NOC issues being faced by long-established industrial units on Malerkotla Road, Ludhiana, to ensure a stable and industry-friendly business environment.
Gurmeet Singh Kular, President, FICO, stated that the Consent to Operate (CTO) for industries functioning in Mixed Land Use (MLU) Areas is set to expire in September 2026, making it imperative for the Punjab Government to announce a permanent policy well before the deadline. He emphasized that repeated temporary extensions only create uncertainty and are not a sustainable solution for the industrial sector. FICO demanded that the existing Mixed Land Use Areas be regularized and declared as Industrial Areas. If relocation is considered unavoidable, the Government should introduce a comprehensive migration policy with a free land bank, free shifting of power connections, capital investment subsidy, a special relocation package, and a time-bound roadmap prepared in consultation with industry associations.
Raising another long-pending issue, Baldev Singh Amar, Vice President, FICO, demanded the immediate grant of NOCs and statutory approvals to existing industrial units located on Malerkotla Road in the villages of Gill, Rania, Sangowal, and Alamgir. He stated that these units have been operating for the last 35–40 years and have made significant contributions to employment generation, industrial development, and Punjab's economy. However, they continue to face difficulties in obtaining approvals from GLADA and the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB). He emphasized that the notification dated 24.09.2021 is applicable to new industrial establishments and should not be applied to long-existing industrial units established much before its issuance, and urged the authorities to grant the required NOCs without further delay.
FICO appealed to the Punjab Government to address these issues on priority to provide confidence to the industrial sector and ensure that existing industries continue to contribute towards employment, exports, and the economic growth of the State without unnecessary regulatory uncertainty.