SPEECH OF HON'BLE GOVERNOR PUNJAB AND ADMINISTRATOR, UT CHANDIGARH, SHRI BANWARILAL PUROHIT ON THE OCCASION OF CHANDIGARH ANNUAL SESSION: 2021-22 & CHANDIGARH BUSINESS CONCLAVE ON INDIA AT 75 MARCHING TOWARDS INDIA AT 100 THEME: INCLUSIVE, INNOVATIVE & SU

Good Moring everyone!

• Mr Abhimanyu Munjal, Chairman, CII Northern Region

• Mr Manish Gupta, Chairman, CII Chandigarh Council

• Mr Rajiv Kaila, Vice Chairman, CII Chandigarh UT

• Dr Rajesh Kapoor, Regional Director, CII Northern Region

• Members of CII and the distinguished guests

• I am happy to be the part of CII Chandigarh's Annual Session and Chandigarh Business Conclave on ‘India at 75 Marching Towards India at 100’.

• This Business Conclave 2022 has been organized at a very opportune time with India’s economy signaling a strong recovery, after being impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Also, the theme chosen ‘Inclusive, Innovative & Sustainable Chandigarh Region’ is very apt. This year's CII conclave theme also resonates with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 2030 that ensure peace and prosperity for people.

• Here I would like to mention the fact that the partnership between the government and the industry of India in the midst of COVID crisis was tremendous. The industry has contributed in every possible way whatever and whenever the country needed, from masks, PPE, ventilators to vaccinations.

Friends,

• This conclave of CII is taking place in the midst of the celebrations for 75 years of Independence, the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav. This is a huge opportunity for the Indian industry to set new resolutions and goals. The huge responsibility for the success of the AatmaNirbhar Bharat campaign rests on Indian industries.

• We have witnessed multiple reforms and bold initiatives by the Government of India to bring the Indian economy back on track.

• The Government’s continued thrust on Atma Nirbhar Abhiyaan and PLI scheme for key sectors helped in the recovery of the economy. As a result, the economy is now expected to expand at a rate of 8.9 per cent. However, the downward risk to economic recovery remains due conflict in Europe. But, together we will surmount all challenges.

• Some of the other key interventions of Government of India includes:

• investment intensive initiatives in the Union Budget 2022-23;

• the announcement of the new PSE policy, which places the private sector at the centre stage; the privatization of Air India, which sets the ball rolling for many more such interventions;

• the big plans for infrastructure and manufacturing, and a host of reforms in multiple domains like factor markets, MSMEs, telecom, defense and tax

• Including the recent withdrawal of retrospective taxes, regulatory reforms, Ease of Doing Business reforms, amongst others will pave the route for a robust recovery, along with opening up multiple growth channels for the economy. I am happy to say that India's tax policies have now made it the world's most competitive corporate tax and faceless tax system.

• Ladies & Gentlemen, dwelling upon the theme of this Conference, I strongly believe that without a shadow of doubt, the Government of India is moving in the right direction of Competitiveness, Growth, Sustainability and wider reach of Technology.

• For instance, the Production Linked Incentive Scheme, an initiative started by the Government of India will not only encourage foreign companies to find workforce in the country and thereby generate employment, but also encourage domestic and local production to create micro jobs.

• Further, the announcement in the Union Budget 2022-23 for tax incentives for startups increased from three years to four years of incorporation, in view of the pandemic; This is expected to provide a big boost to the startups in the country.

• The Union Budget has also focused on building core infrastructure that is critical for economic growth. The Budget has focused extensively on key growth engines – PM Gati Shakti plan for building crucial infrastructure like roads, ports, railways, logistics, etc. Reforms in these sectors will give a fillip to the movement of goods and services and lay the blueprint for economic expansion over the next few years.

• Ladies & gentlemen, Chandigarh is one of the best-planned cities in the country. The high quality of social infrastructure, large green spaces and its compact size, makes it an ideal destination to live and work.

• I am happy to note that Chandigarh is also fast becoming a prominent hub of startups in the Region. Picturesquely located on the foothills of the Shivaliks, India’s first planned city is emerging as a flourishing hub for startups.

• While the strategic location of the city—proximity to Delhi-NCR, Haryana and Punjab—ensures that it gets the best talent from the adjoining states, rapid industrial growth over the last few years, coupled with a sizeable population of HNIs (high net worth individuals), has propelled growth of a robust network.

• Dovetailing Government of India’s initiative of Startup India and keeping in view the requirements of local budding entrepreneurs, the Administration will also soon be working on a new startup policy to help them set up their own ventures in the city.

• The UT intends to prioritise actions required in three broad categories: short, medium and long-term that will empower and the efforts and virtuosity of young startups in Chandigarh.

• An important aspect towards environment and sustainability is promotion of Electric Vehicles. The Government is massively pushing deployment of EV charging stations by providing capital subsidy through Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid &) Electric Vehicles in India, FAME India Scheme Phase II and other local initiatives.

• Keeping up with the Government of India’s initiatives, Chandigarh Administration has launched the Draft Electric Vehicle Policy 2021. In order to make Chandigarh a Model electric vehicles City by achieving one of the highest penetration of zero emission vehicles amongst all Indian cities in a period of five years.

• The Chandigarh Electric Vehicle (EV) Policy has the provision to incentivise the adoption of all vehicle categories such as e-bicycles, electric two-wheelers, e-carts, e- autos, e-goods carriers, electric four-wheelers (personal and commercial) which is over & above the FAME-II policy incentives provided by the Government of India.

• The Chandigarh EV Policy will also help in creating charging infrastructure for public in every sector and aims in the first two years to have 100 such public charging stations installed in the Union Territory.

• Another important initiative of the Chandigarh Administration towards sustainability has been developing Chandigarh as a Solar City. The UT administration has fixed a target of 75 megawatt solar power generation by August 15, 2023. And I am very hopeful that we will achieve this target.

• It is a well-known fact that the economy of the Chandigarh and its adjoining cities particularly Mohali and Panchkula are interdependent.

• From its creation to preserving its unique nature, Chandigarh, a landlocked city, is heavily dependent on its periphery, which now encompasses two fast expanding cities of Mohali and Panchkula.

• There is lot of movement of people and goods daily to and from the suburbs.

• The Government of Haryana has recently unveiled the Panchkula Metropolitan Development Authority (PMDA). Punjab already has the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA).

• Similarly, our Chandigarh Master Plan (CMP) 2031 expects a symbiotic relationship with the regional urban areas. A sensitive and coordinated development is required to safeguard the region’s natural and man-made heritage, emphasises the CMP.

• Going ahead, for a holistic development of Chandigarh and surrounding areas, there is a need for coordination amongst the constituent states and the UT of Chandigarh.

Friends,

• The country has taken a huge step through the National Education Policy. It has a roadmap to create a new ecosystem ranging from schools, skills to research. The industry also has an active role in it. We have to work very seriously, especially regarding investment on research and development. We have to increase our investment on the R & D manifold for AatmaNirbhar Bharat and this is not possible only with government efforts. It requires huge industry participation.

• May you all be inspired to take many resolutions during this Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav and come forward with new determination and new energy!

• Best wishes to all of you!

Thank you,
Jai Hind.