Chandigarh (Naval Kishore): In a strong and direct message to the administration, the Chandigarh Business Council (CBC) has submitted a detailed memorandum to H. Rajesh Prasad, Chief Secretary, Chandigarh Administration, highlighting deep-rooted challenges that are pushing businesses out of the city. A delegation led by Ajay Gupta (President), Jagdish Arora (Chairman), Neeraj Bajaj (Chief Patron), Sanjay Pahwa (General Secretary), and Chander Verma (Immediate Past President) raised serious concerns over what they termed as “outdated and restrictive policies” stifling growth and investment.
The Council pointed out that rigid building bylaws, restrictions on essential structural modifications in SCFs, SCOs, and industrial units, along with heavy misuse penalties and outdated land policies, are forcing traders and entrepreneurs to shift operations to nearby hubs like Mohali and Panchkula. Calling for urgent reforms, CBC proposed allowing need-based structural relaxations, including mezzanine floors and minor internal modifications in key market sectors. It also demanded share-wise property transfers and a time-bound conversion of leasehold properties into freehold issues long pending and critical for business expansion.
The Council further pushed for major industrial reforms, including expansion of MSME activities, increased Floor Area Ratio (FAR), and development of Industrial Area Phase-3 to accommodate growing demand. In a hard-hitting observation, CBC flagged excessive penalties and complex compliance systems as deterrents to business, urging the Administration to introduce a transparent regulatory framework, a single-window clearance system, and a One-Time Settlement (OTS) scheme for pending tax and legacy cases. Simplification of GST procedures and the formation of a dedicated Trade Facilitation Board were also strongly recommended. Responding to the concerns, Chief Secretary H. Rajesh Prasad acknowledged the seriousness of the issues and assured that the Administration is committed to creating a business-friendly environment. “The concerns raised by the business community are important and will be examined carefully for practical and timely solutions,” he stated, adding that the issues will be taken up on priority.
The CBC warned that without immediate corrective measures, Chandigarh risks losing its competitive edge as a commercial hub. The Council emphasized that the business community remains a key driver of economic growth and that decisive policy action is essential to prevent further migration of enterprises.
The meeting concluded with cautious optimism, as stakeholders expressed hope that long-pending demands will finally see action under the current leadership.
