In a major step aimed at giving further fillip to the industrial sector for emerging Punjab as favorite investment destination, the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Friday inaugurated the second phase of the “Fastrack Punjab Portal,” integrating 173 services under one roof to further streamline industrial facilitation in the state.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said that the state’s industrial policy has entered a new era, as Punjab has started a genuine “Single Window with a Single Pen” system signifying transparency and efficiency in governance. He remarked that a pen holds greater power than a stick, as it empowers decision-making and constructive administration. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the concept of deemed approval has also been introduced to enable industries to get timely clearances without unnecessary delays, reaffirming the state government’s commitment to making Punjab an investor-friendly destination.
The Chief Minister shared that 47 services are currently being regulated through the Fastrack Punjab Portal, involving nine departments and said that the pendency of applications has become zero due to effective coordination and monitoring. He added that the state has witnessed a remarkable reverse migration of industries, with new investments worth Rs. 1.40 lakh crore and the creation of nearly five lakh job opportunities across sectors. Bhagwant Singh Mann informed that the government has worked in close coordination with multiple stakeholders to promote ease of doing business.
Emphasizing the importance of entrepreneurship, the Chief Minister called upon Punjab’s youth to shed the mindset of being job seekers and rather become job providers by establishing their own enterprises. To support this vision, he said that the government is providing financial assistance, loans and other necessary facilities to budding entrepreneurs. Highlighting the progress in education reforms, Bhagwant Singh Mann said that Punjab has transformed its education system to instill a positive, confident and progressive mindset among students, preparing them for leadership in various walks of life.
The Chief Minister described businessmen as the second “Annadata” after farmers, noting that both play a pivotal role in sustaining livelihoods and economic growth. He proudly highlighted Punjab’s achievements beyond industry, pointing out that India’s national teams in four major sports Hockey, Cricket, Football, and Basketball are presently captained by Punjabis, reflecting the state’s sporting excellence and leadership spirit. Bhagwant Singh Mann also lauded the resilience of Punjab’s people, noting that despite suffering crop losses across five lakh acres during recent floods, Punjab contributed a record 150 lakh metric tonnes of paddy to the national pool.
Calling Punjab a blessed land where no one goes hungry, the Chief Minister said that the state’s culture of community service seen in langars and volunteer efforts embodies its unmatched humanitarian spirit. He reminded that Punjab has always stood as the fort of India, guarding the nation’s frontiers while remaining a symbol of courage, resilience and unity. Bhagwant Singh Mann urged people to rise above trivial issues and work collectively under visionary leadership for Punjab’s holistic progress.
The Chief Minister said that the Government of Punjab is implementing several new reforms to simplify industrial and business operations and to bring greater transparency across the system. He said that to further enhance ease of doing business, the Punjab Government has approved the Punjab Right to Business (Amendment) Rules, 2025, which will provide significant relief to entrepreneurs. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that through these amendments, several pre-construction regulatory approvals have been brought under the ambit of the Act, including Registration of Principal Employer, Registration under the BOCW Act, Factory License, Consent to Establish, Consent to Operate, Stability Certificate and No Objection Certificate for non-forest land.
The Chief Minister said that these amendments have made the process of “Declaration of Intent” much simpler and the entire procedure will now be carried out electronically through the State’s Single Window System. He said that the entrepreneurs starting a new project will be able to submit proof of land ownership or consent, CRO reports, master plan identification, process details, and online fee payments through this portal. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that a time-bound mechanism has been introduced for the issuance of the Certificate of In-Principle Approval.
The Chief Minister said that the new reforms aim to eliminate unnecessary delays in granting approvals. He said that under the new system, if the competent authority fails to take a decision within the stipulated time, deemed Approval will automatically be granted. He said that it is a matter of immense pride and satisfaction that Punjab’s industrial sector continues to achieve remarkable growth. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the state leads in several sectors including food processing, textiles, auto components, hand tools, bicycle manufacturing, information technology, and tourism.
The Chief Minister said that Punjab has emerged as a preferred destination for global investors, with significant investments flowing in from Japan, the USA, Germany, the UK, Dubai, South Korea, Singapore, and Spain. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that with industry-friendly policies, transparent governance, and a conducive business environment, Punjab has secured a leading position in Ease of Doing Business rankings. He said that Fast Track Punjab Portal is India’s most advanced single-window system, offering over 150 business services and eliminating the need for offline applications entirely.
The Chief Minister said that under the Punjab Right to Business Act, industrial units with investments up to Rs 125 crore are granted In-Principle Approval within just three days. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that other reforms include a fixed 45-day approval timeline, automatic “Deemed Approvals” where decisions are not issued on time, regular investor support through WhatsApp, AI-powered chatbots, and call centres, simplified processes for Fire NOCs and leasehold-to-freehold land conversions. He said that the state government firmly believes that true industrial progress is possible only when government and industry work shoulder-to-shoulder.
The Chief Minister said that in this spirit, entrepreneurs and investors are our foremost partners in shaping Punjab’s industrial future adding that the state government has constituted 24 sector-specific committees to guide policy and planning for each sector. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that these committees play a crucial role in charting the roadmap for Punjab’s industrial growth adding that Punjab stands today at a defining moment, filled with immense potential and with the continued cooperation of industry, state government can build a future-ready, globally competitive, and innovation-driven industrial ecosystem. Giving a clarion call for moving forward together as equal partners to make Punjab the nation’s most preferred destination for industry and exports, he profusely thanked the industrialists for their trust and support.
