Introduction to the Department

Punjab is an economy where the basis for competitiveness is the intellectual capital and capability to absorb, process and apply knowledge. We have a strong technological base both in public and private sector and a vibrant entrepreneurial culture that thrives on creativity, nimbleness and good business sense. Industries remain an integral component of the State economy, with capabilities in the entire manufacturing value chain, from R&D and design to marketing and sales. Punjab is building successful partnerships with foreign firms, strengthening domestic capabilities and forging strategic linkages. The industrial work force should be cost-competitive, motivated, and highly productive with world-class capabilities in industrial and business management, technology, R & D, production and services, and international market development. The Department of Industries & Commerce ensures that the State stays on the path of its industrial progress.

The Department of Industries and Commerce plays a pivotal role in rendering assistance to the entrepreneurs. The process of assistance begins with the very first stage of project identification to financial assistance up to the commissioning of Industrial units. The existing industry is also helped in the process of continuous up gradation of technology and modernization.

The Department also acts as a ‘Nodal Agency’ for mitigating the problems of Industries and liaises with other departments for devising remedial measures. The department is assisted by Corporations like Punjab State Industrial Development Corporation, Punjab Small Industries & Export Corporation, Punjab Financial Corporation, Punjab Information & Communication Technology Corporation. In order to look after Khadi Village and Cottage Industries, Punjab Khadi & Village Industries Board has also been set up.

The  Department also facilities grant of the time bound clearances for projects under Industrial  Facilitation Act 2005 through Udyog Sahayak.

Mission/Vision of Department

• To create a conducive investment climate through infrastructure creation, reduced regulations, general facilitation and evolving such policies so as to induce investments in the state.
• To rejuvenate and make the existing industry competitive, particularly  the Micro, small & Medium Enterprises through improved technology, product quality and marketing.
• To create special thrust in the areas where Punjab has an edge in terms of cost and competitiveness.

Objective of the Department

The Department aims to create the right investment environment in the State of Punjab which enables the growth of industries and commerce, manifold. The department caters to all citizens, particularly those who are; or involved in:

• Potential and existing entrepreneurs irrespective of size of enterprise;
• Industries, including Industrial associations and individual units;
• Business, including business associations and individual businesses;
• Industrial research institutions and training centers;

Structure & Functions of the Department

The department has various sections, which perform different functions; the sections being:

• Administrative
• Right to Information Act Cell
• Accounts
• Plan Coordination
• Recovery and audit
• Commerce
• Small & Village Industries
• Large &  Medium
• Textile 
• Technical
• Infrastructure
• Incentive section
• Employment Promotion Programme Section
• Geological
• Survey
• Nucleus cell
• Udyog Sahayak
• Firms and societies
• of boilers
• Controller of stores
• Publicity

The various functions performed by the department are:

• Create an investor friendly industrial climate in the State;
• Co-ordinate activities of various departments to provide single window clearance for new industries and expansion of new Industries.
• Facilitate the creation of necessary infrastructure to promote industries;
• Facilitate the Industry improve the competitiveness and productivity and business concerns by providing training to the new and existing entrepreneurs;
• Facilitate market access for industrial  establishments.
• Create employment through promotion of industries;
• Frame and  implement policies for Industrial development in the state.
• Take up issues pertaining the industrial development of state with Government of India.
• ensure sustainable management of industrial natural resources in the state for industry.

 Assessment of the department on e-Governance

The department is categorized in the second stage of e-Governance i.e. envision based on the e-Governance As-Is identification framework. Udyog Sahayak and Punjab Web Studio have been two initiatives taken by the department which have kept it on the fast track to growth. Though these bodies have been doing a lot of good work to make investments smooth and fast in the State of Punjab for potential investors, a lot still needs to be done in the department to improve the functioning and achieve complete benefits of computerization. Within the department, there are very few computers which are stand alone and are primarily used for report generation.  

e-Governance Initiatives Proposed 

The Department plans to adopt computerization in a big way and improve the efficiency by giving the citizens and customers a better turnaround time for any service. Therefore the department is looking at an advanced level of computerization spanning all its offices which will result in better and faster sharing on information resources. Reporting of tasks which are routine or even custom made reports can be made and shared much easily and speedily using networked computers, and can greatly reduce the service delivery time taken by the department. Thus the department wishes to take the benefits of networking and computerization across its various offices.