Punjab MSMEs not impressed with AAP’s trade & industry manifesto

Ludhiana, Oct 24 (KNN) Assuring to end “surgical strikes on trade and industry in Punjab”, AAP Supremo cum Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said his party respects the traders and industrialists and would not threaten or intimidate them.

Releasing the Aam Aadmi Party’s manifesto for industry, trade and transport in poll-bound Punjab here on Sunday, Kejriwal said that his party would end “surgical strikes on industry and traders of Punjab being conducted by SAD-BJP government in the form of raids, goonda tax and inspector raj”.

“We respect traders and industrialists, we are not here to threaten or intimidate them. They know that AAP will use their tax in the right way. We will stop surgical strikes on traders and industrialists being conducted at the behest of Badal raj here,” he said.

Talking to KNN, Rajiv Jain, General Secretary, United Cycle Parts Manufacturers Association (UCPMA), said, “Aam Aadmi Party just repeated what other parties said. There was absolutely nothing new in it.”

He said, “They promised to do away with VAT which GST would anyways do. They promised to do away with inspector raj, the government has almost done that. They just said what Badals, BJP and Congress said.”

Jain said looking at what is happening in Delhi, the industry is not very keen to vote for Aam Aadmi Party.

He said, “The people, some from the industry fraternity only, who didn’t get any opportunities to enter politics, have joined AAP. AAP Manifesto lacks measures to improve state economy, infrastructure, investments etec.”

In the Manifesto, AAP promises to put an end to inspector raj, raid raj and goonda tax. The party manifesto assures simplification and lowering of taxes and one-time settlement for pending tax cases.

Further, if voted to power, the party promises revival of sick industrial units through two-year tax holiday and revival of unused land at Focal Points, Industrial Areas etc.

Kejriwal also promised to substantially reduce the electricity tariff for the industry.

He said, “Anti-Punjab power agreements with private plants will be reviewed and those responsible for burdening the state will be punished.”

He said Ropar will be developed as new industrial hub with eco-friendly IT industry to generate development in Kandi belt.

For agro-processing industries, the manifesto promises 10-year tax holiday.

AAP promised to take away bus permits from Badals and Congress politicians and give them to handicapped, terrorism victims, ex-servicemen, unemployed etc.

The party assured elimination of unnecessary checking of trucks and control of politicians in truck unions will be ended.

The manifesto assured that heavy toll tax policy charged by private companies in collusion with SAD-BJP, Congress will be investigated and reviewed.

The manifesto also promises to put an end to control of politicians in liquor mafia.

Manifesto says, “Five-year tax holiday will be given to women encourage entrepreneurship.” AAP also assured to protect the small retailers from FDI. (KNN Bureau)