From Red Tape to Rocket Speed: Punjab’s Regulatory Revolution

For years, establishing or expanding a business in Punjab was a daunting task. Entrepreneurs faced a labyrinth of government offices, plagued by delays and demands for bribes. This stifled innovation, discouraged investment, and hampered the state’s economic potential. Chief Minister Mann recognized this systemic issue and pledged to deliver ease, dignity, and efficiency to the people of Punjab.

The resulting “District-Level Reform” has achieved a remarkable 98% success rate. The Mann government directly confronted corruption and fundamentally redesigned outdated systems. Today, work at the district level no longer stalls; it progresses at an accelerated pace. This isn’t merely an administrative improvement—it’s a catalyst for opportunity and a renewed sense of respect for millions of families.

The 98% clearance rate represents a victory for the small shopkeeper who no longer needs to seek favors from officials to expand their business. It’s a source of joy for the farmer’s family whose son can now realize his dream of establishing a small food processing unit without facing bureaucratic obstacles. Most importantly, it has restored the common citizen’s trust in their government, fostering a belief that work is conducted with honesty and speed.

When citizens experience both dignity and progress within their own districts, why would young people look to migrate abroad? This reform directly safeguards the future of Punjab’s youth. Today, every district in Punjab echoes the sentiment: “Work will no longer stall, it will not stop! The Mann government has empowered us with the strength of integrity.” This isn’t just administrative reform; it’s a rebirth of Punjab’s self-respect.

Fast-Track Punjab Portal: A Digital Engine for Growth

On May 29, 2025, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann relaunched the ‘Fast-Track Punjab Portal’, significantly streamlining processes for investors. This achievement demonstrates the Punjab government’s unwavering commitment to timely completion and transparency. Punjab has reduced its backlog of pending cases by over 90%; in February 2025, 8,075 applications were pending beyond the stipulated timeframe, now reduced to just 283 – a 96% decrease. Similarly, at the district level, pending cases have plummeted from 833 in February 2025 to just 17, representing a 98% disposal rate.

The relaunch of the Fast-Track Punjab Portal has yielded impressive results. The portal has attracted projects worth ₹21,700 crore, a 167% increase compared to 2024 and a 110% increase compared to 2023. The number of project applications has also risen to 950, representing a 76% annual growth rate. In the last four months, 17,006 service applications (87%) and 4,884 license applications (81%) have been approved on time.

The ‘Fast-Track Punjab Portal’ is an online platform launched by the state government to simplify and make the process of ‘ease of doing business’ more transparent. A key feature of the portal is that any entrepreneur or company can apply for over 100 industry-related approvals from various departments from the comfort of their home, and all these approvals can be obtained within 45 days. It implements a single-window system, eliminating the need to visit multiple departments. Under the Punjab Business Facilitation Act (RTBA), projects with investments up to ₹125 crore now receive expedited approvals. Based on self-declaration, projects within approved industrial parks receive approval within 5 days, and those outside the parks within 15-18 days.

The portal is specifically designed for projects with investments exceeding ₹5 crore, which will benefit from faster processing, as they are creating large-scale employment or bringing cutting-edge technology to the state. Invest India provides further resources on the ease of doing business in India.

This reform isn’t just for large players like Tata Steel or Adani; its greatest benefit extends to our district-level Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). Previously, a small industry needed to obtain 15-20 different certificates and permissions. Now, the number of required documents has been reduced to just 5-6. Obtaining preliminary approval for establishing an industry in an industrial park now takes only 5 days. Imagine, where months were required, now it takes just 5 days! This is a boon for the small artisan who wants to start their work quickly.

When our district collectors and other officials work quickly and honestly, the youth of Punjab regain their faith in the system. They believe that hard work, not recommendations, now pays off. What role do you think technology will play in further accelerating this positive change?

Previously, only cities like Ludhiana or Mohali attracted investment. Now, thanks to the Mann government’s balanced development policy, a wave of industrial development is sweeping across every district. These district-level reforms not only improve the ‘ease of doing business’ ranking but also ignite hope in the hearts of every Punjabi. This is a strong step towards building a vibrant Punjab where everyone can progress on their own merit. Our Punjab is changing, and the center of this change has become the office of every district. With this reform, Punjab is becoming one of the easiest states in the country to do business in. In this new era of reform and efficiency, the Mann government has proven that good intentions yield tangible results.

Frequently Asked Questions