The North News
Chandigarh, February 4
The Punjab government has stepped up efforts to strengthen ease of doing business by deepening its engagement with the trading community across the state.
Finance, Planning, Excise and Taxation Minister Harpal Singh Cheema on Wednesday chaired a high-level meeting of the Punjab State Traders Commission (PSTC) at Punjab Bhawan, focusing on improved grievance redressal and stronger administrative support at the district level.
Addressing the meeting in his capacity as chairman of the commission, Cheema said the government aims to establish a robust three-tier system to directly connect traders with the administration. He said the objective was to ensure that traders across Punjab receive timely assistance and that their concerns are addressed efficiently.
The minister directed district trade committee chairmen to engage proactively with traders in their areas and gather feedback on local issues. He announced that special district-level camps would be organised on 10 and 11 February to facilitate the immediate resolution of grievances.
Cheema said matters requiring intervention beyond the district level should be documented and forwarded to the Punjab State Traders Commission for swift action, ensuring time-bound solutions to more complex issues.
The meeting was attended by PSTC Vice Chairman Anil Thakur, Financial Commissioner (Taxation) Ajit Balaji Joshi and Taxation Commissioner Jatender Jorwal. Officials underlined the importance of technical empowerment of trade committees, with detailed briefings on key aspects of GST filing aimed at helping district-level bodies support traders in regulatory compliance.
Reiterating the government’s broader vision, Cheema said the three-tier framework was designed to create a responsive and business-friendly environment. He added that the Bhagwant Singh Mann-led government was committed to building a transparent system in which the voices of traders are heard and acted upon.
