FICO Delegation Interacts with Punjab Industries Minister Sanjeev Arora

Ludhiana, July 17, 2025: A delegation of the Federation of Industrial & Commercial Organization (FICO), led by President Gurmeet Singh Kular and Vice Chairman Vipan Mittal, met Punjab’s Industries and Commerce Minister, Sanjeev Arora, at Chandigarh. The meeting was facilitated by Rajya Sabha MP Vikramjit Singh Sahney.
FICO congratulated Arora on his appointment and raised key industry concerns, seeking immediate government intervention on the following issues:
0.25% Stamp Duty & Hypothecation Charges on Loans:
FICO urged the Punjab Government to completely waive the 0.25% stamp duty and hypothecation charges on all types of new loans, including business, home, car, personal, and gold loans. While the recent waiver for loans taken over by other banks is appreciated, the continuation of charges on fresh loans hampers the ease of doing business in Punjab.
De-Notification of Unacquired Land Marked by PSIEC:
FICO pointed out that certain lands marked under the Focal Point scheme were never acquired by PSIEC, nor were their owners compensated. The organization demanded immediate de-notification of such lands and removal of their Khasra numbers from PSIEC records.
Permanent Resolution for Industries in Mixed Land Use Areas:
While thanking the government for extending consent to operate in mixed land use areas till September 2026, FICO stressed the need for a long-term solution. They proposed that if relocation is required, the government must offer a free land bank, free shifting of power connections, special relocation packages, and capital investment subsidies.
Operational Consent for Rural Industries at Gill Road, Ludhiana:
FICO sought intervention to restore the Punjab Pollution Control Board’s consent to operate for industries in the Gill Road–Malerkotla belt, especially in Village Rania, which are currently denied approvals.
Penalty on Alleged Unauthorized Use of Electricity:
FICO objected to penalty notices served by PSPCL on small and medium industries, particularly electroplating and induction heater units, classifying them under power-intensive categories despite metered usage. They termed the double tariff levied as unjustified and called for government support instead of punitive action.
Abolition of Professional Tax:
Highlighting the burden on taxpayers, FICO demanded the abolition of the ₹200 per month professional tax on income taxpayers, emphasizing the need to promote ease of doing business in Punjab.
Fiscal Incentives for New Investment Under Existing GST Registration:
FICO recommended extending fiscal incentives to new units set up under an existing GST number, noting that OEMs do not permit vendors to have multiple GST registrations.
The delegation included Gurmeet Singh Kular (President), Vipan Mittal (Vice Chairman), Baldev Singh Amar (Vice President), Rajeev Jain (Senior Vice President), Avtar Singh Bhogal (Executive Member), Satnam Singh Makkar (Propaganda Secretary), Gurmukh Singh Rupal (Head, Sewing Machine Division), Raghbir Singh Sohal (Head, Plywood Division), and Charanjit Singh Vishivkarma (Chairman, UCPMA).