City residents feel that the Capt Amarinder Singh government has forgotten its promise of setting up a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) here.
On October 12, 2016, Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh as a Congress leader had announced that after coming to power, a SEZ, within 20 km from the border district, would be established in which special concessions were to be provided.
In his speech, he had announced that the
SEZ would create employment opportunities. The CM had reasoned that if Pakistan could have the industry right up to the border, there was no reason why India could not do the same. He had even proposed that the SEZ either to be set up in Rajasansi or in Attari.
Kulwan Singh Ankhi, a senior citizen, said the CM must honour his words and run the government after assessing ground realities not on “jumla” pattern. “People of Punjab, especially of Amritsar, had shown faith in him to form the government in the 2017 Assembly elections,” he said.
Earlier, former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh had also announced to acquire 1,250 acres for setting up the SEZ.
The government had also notified the acquisition of land in this regard in Manawala, Rakhjeeta, Mehma, Pandore, Jheeta Kalan, Jheeta Khurd and Bhaghapurana villages.
If the SEZ comes up here, it will help create thousands of jobs, enhance people’s income, attract Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs), transfer technology and strengthen marketing linkages of hand tools, auto parts, textiles and agriculture-based industries.
The announcement on the SEZ had brought cheer to residents of the holy city, which had been waiting for a boost to industrial development for strengthening its sluggish economy.
Earlier, former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh had announced the multi-product SEZ on 2,500 acres. Later, it was reduced to only 1,250 acres.
Subsequently, the Department of Commerce had decided to issue in-principle approvals for setting up the three sector-specific SEZs in 2006. These sectors were of textile, engineering and food processing.
The Ministry of Commerce in its response to an RTI plea filed by Michael, a city resident, stated that since the DLF did not pursue further with the Department of Commerce regarding the issuance of formal approval, accordingly the SEZ project was not implemented.
Michael said two decades had passed, but the SEZ was in the conceptual stage.
City residents feel that the Capt Amarinder Singh government has forgotten its promise of setting up a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) here.
On October 12, 2016, Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh as a Congress leader had announced that after coming to power, a SEZ, within 20 km from the border district, would be established in which special concessions were to be provided.
In his speech, he had announced that the SEZ would create employment opportunities. The CM had reasoned that if Pakistan could have the industry right up to the border, there was no reason why India could not do the same. He had even proposed that the SEZ either to be set up in Rajasansi or in Attari.
Kulwan Singh Ankhi, a senior citizen, said the CM must honour his words and run the government after assessing ground realities not on “jumla” pattern. “People of Punjab, especially of Amritsar, had shown faith in him to form the government in the 2017 Assembly elections,” he said.
Earlier, former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh had also announced to acquire 1,250 acres for setting up the SEZ.
The government had also notified the acquisition of land in this regard in Manawala, Rakhjeeta, Mehma, Pandore, Jheeta Kalan, Jheeta Khurd and Bhaghapurana villages.
If the SEZ comes up here, it will help create thousands of jobs, enhance people’s income, attract Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs), transfer technology and strengthen marketing linkages of hand tools, auto parts, textiles and agriculture-based industries.
The announcement on the SEZ had brought cheer to residents of the holy city, which had been waiting for a boost to industrial development for strengthening its sluggish economy.
Earlier, former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh had announced the multi-product SEZ on 2,500 acres. Later, it was reduced to only 1,250 acres.
Subsequently, the Department of Commerce had decided to issue in-principle approvals for setting up the three sector-specific SEZs in 2006. These sectors were of textile, engineering and food processing.
The Ministry of Commerce in its response to an RTI plea filed by Michael, a city resident, stated that since the DLF did not pursue further with the Department of Commerce regarding the issuance of formal approval, accordingly the SEZ project was not implemented.
Michael said two decades had passed, but the SEZ was in the conceptual stage.
Source: tribuneindia.com