FICO submits memorandum to Kamal Sharma

Ludhiana, December 27, 2013: Federation of Industrial & Commercial Organisations (FICO) president Gurmeet Singh Kular on Thursday late evening submitted a memorandum to Punjab BJP president Kamal Sharma here today. Kular apprised Sharma about the problems bring faced by the industry.
With regard to property tax, the delegation said Punjab government has imposed property tax on every consumer. They pointed out that industrial rates have been specified in year 2009-10, which have not been taken as parameter. The delegates requested to look into the matter and provide relief and commercial rates should not be taken for industry.
regarding Mix Land Use Area, the delegation said the Master Plan of Ludhiana is under revision it their request that the areas which are not covered in master plan as industrial mix should be covered so that industry can work without fear. Areas like Gurpal nagar, Shimlapuri ,New Janta nagar, Ishar nagar, New Shimla puri, etc should be added in the interest of public.
Regarding investment incentive, the delegation said in the new industrial policy there is no tax benefit to the Micro  Industries because the benefit, minimum eligibility of investment is Rs.1 crore.  “So our humble submission is it should be reduced to Rs.15 lac”, said Kular.
About the new focal point, they said after 1992 Punjab Government neither developed any focal point nor expansion of any focal point has taken place. “Our submission is to develop the new focal point to expand the industries”, said Kular.   They also pointed out that huge amount of VAT Refund is blocked with department. Refund Should be made online & it should be refunded within 30 days from the date of application otherwise interest @ 18% per annum be given. Besides, there are so many refunds which are expired due to non -availability of funds that should also be released immediately with interest.
Regarding 4th stage verification, the delegation said there is no provision in the law whereas department is harassing and punishing for the crime which they have not committed. “This is an only administrative order by the Department which is to be abolished at the earliest”, they asserted.
On the power supply, the delegates said there is very poor infrastructure of power supply. The government should ensure uninterruptable power supply to save the industries. In rainy season there are so many power failures and once feeder is tripped it takes so much time to restore. Now in Punjab there is surplus power so the delegates requested to the government to abolish the Peak Load Exemption Charges.
They also sought that the government should reduce the VAT on cycle industries to save the mother industries of Punjab because this industry is very low value addition and that the government should allow Input Tax Credit on diesel for captive consumption for the industries.
They also pointed out that Ludhiana is major producer of bicycle & parts, hand tools, etc which compete with the international market, infrastructure in focal points, industrial estate and industrial areas are in bad shape. They sought proper attention to up-grade the infrastructure like roads, street lights, sewage system. Also, it was demanded that members of the associations should be appointed to monitor the ongoing work for proper quality check.