Punjab on path of recovery: FM

Font Size

Print

Feedback

Email

Discuss

Chandigarh, Oct 3: attitude of government officials. The study was based on an interaction with industry captains across the state and feedback on business environment, infrastructure conditions, land and labour availability, tax related issues and procedural hassles faced by the industry.

The study report came within a couple of days after Assocham released its report on Punjab, suggesting that Punjab was losing about Rs 3,000 crore annually, on account of free power to the farm sector. The Assocham report also suggested that the funds could have been diverted towards other economic development of the state.

When asked, Badal told FE that Punjab fell short by about Rs 3,000 crore, in funding its education and health schemes but said that doing away with free power is not the answer. He said that in time, people might accept his views on phasing out subsidies in any form. As far as special concessions to different states are concerned, they would be passé by 2010. By then, VAT would give way to GST, in which, states would have a major share, he added.