The Punjab Cabinet on Wednesday approved summoning of the16th Special Session of 15th Punjab Vidhan Sabha on November 8, 2021 to opposeCentre's notification extending the jurisdiction of BSF from 15 km to 50 km alongthe international border besides repealing the three black farm laws.
Notably, thisdecision has been taken in light of the consensus emerged in the All PartyMeeting held at Chandigarh on October 25, where it was unanimously decided toconvene a special session of Vidhan Sabha in this regard.
This decision was taken during a Cabinet meeting chairedby Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi here at Circuit House this morning.
APPROVES PUNJAB ANTI-RED TAPE RULES, 2021 TO PROMOTEEFFECTIVE ADMINISTRATION OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS
In anothersignificant decision, the Cabinet also gave approval to the Punjab Anti RedTape Rules, 2021 framed by the Governance Reforms and Public Grievancesdepartment to carry out the purposes of the Punjab Anti Red Tape Act, 2021,which was notified and came into effect on April 6, 2021.
The Act shall be applicable to all departments and theirattached or subordinate offices including all units of local self-government,boards, corporations, public sector enterprises, societies, trusts, commissionsor autonomous bodies established or constituted by an Act of the StateLegislature or whose expenditure is met from the Consolidated Fund of theState. It shall also ensure that all the aforesaid entities would mandatorilysimplify their process to reduce the burden of compliances by at least 50%within a period of six months of the commencement of this Act. Likewise, theAct would also provide for disciplinary as well as financial penalties againsterring official for violations committed under this Act.
APPROVESAMENDMENTS IN PUNJAB RIGHT TO BUSINESS ACT, 2020 FOR FAST TRACK COMPLETION OFMSME’s EXPANSION
In a bid topromote ease of doing business in the state, the Cabinet also gave a go aheadto the amendments in Punjab Right to Business Act, 2020 for inclusion ofexpansion by existing Micro, Small and Medium enterprises (MSMEs) under thepurview of the Act. The amendment in the said Act provides an enablingeco-system for self-declaration, exemptions, speedier approvals and inspectionsfor existing MSMEs to expand and operate in the state. All the existingenterprises undertaking expansion shall be eligible to get Certificate ofin-principle approval for 7 services covered under the Act, to be issued within5 working days to existing units in Focal Points and within 20 working days toexisting units outside Focal Points.
OKAYS SEVERAL PRO-INVESTOR INITIATIVES/CONCESSIONS TOBOOST TRADE AND INDUSTRY
Allowedfaceless assessment of GST and VAT, now the traders and industrialists need notto go to the Taxation offices for this purpose anymore.
· Reducedmobile squad earlier comprising of 14 persons to only four in Taxationdepartment.
· AbolishedInstitutional Tax.
· Thepending cases of VAT for the Financial Year 2014-15, 2015-16 and 2016-17 wouldbe considered only 30% of the total demand. In such cases, 20% would berecovered in first year and the balance 80% in the next year.
· One TimeSettlement (OTS) Scheme for the defaulters to be introduced in Punjab StateIndustrial Development Corporation (PSIDC), Punjab Financial Corporation (PFC)and Punjab Agro Industries Corporation (PAIC).
· An amnestyscheme would also be brought for the plot holders of Punjab State IndustriesExport Corporation (PSIEC).
· Fixedcharges on electricity connections for Medium Scale Industries have beenslashed to 50%.
· Rs.150crore to be spent on the up-gradation of the infrastructure in the IndustrialFocal Points.
· Decides torelax the condition of reducing the passages to industry from current 6 to 4karam.
· Requisiteland to be acquired for Patti-Makhu rail link and handed over to the Ministryof Railways, GoI before next rail budget.
· ExhibitionCentre to come up at Amrtisar.
· Film Cityto be set up near Chandigarh.
APPROVES ANNUAL ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT OF SCHOOL EDUCATIONDEPARTMENT
The Cabinet also approved Annual Administrative Report ofthe School Education department for the year 2019-20.