Photo Source: Babushahi Bureau
Punjab launches second phase of ‘Fastrack Punjab Portal’; 173 investor services now under one roof
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, November 21, 2025: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Friday launched the second phase of the Fastrack Punjab Portal, bringing 173 industrial services onto a single digital platform in an effort to make the state one of India’s most investor-friendly destinations.
Calling it a “Single Window with a Single Pen” system, the Chief Minister said the upgraded portal ensures faster approvals, transparent governance and a seamless experience for businesses. He also highlighted the introduction of deemed approvals, ensuring that applications are automatically cleared if departments fail to respond on time.
Mann said the portal has already been streamlining operations: “Pendency has become zero due to better coordination across departments.”
The state has recorded what the Chief Minister described as a “reverse migration of industries”, with Punjab attracting ₹1.40 lakh crore in new investments and creating nearly 5 lakh jobs in recent years. Nine departments currently regulate 47 services through the portal, which will now expand significantly.
The Chief Minister encouraged youth to shift from job-seeking to entrepreneurship, assuring full support through loans, subsidies and easier regulatory processes. He also spoke about recent reforms in education and business governance aimed at transforming Punjab’s talent and industry landscape.
Mann emphasised that new amendments to the Punjab Right to Business Rules, 2025 further simplify pre-construction approvals, including factory licences, consent to establish/operate, stability certificates and NOCs. All processes—from land ownership verification to fee payments—will now be fully digital.
The new system also includes:
- In-Principle Approval within 3 days for units investing up to ₹125 crore
- A fixed 45-day approval timeline for most services
- Deemed approvals for missed deadlines
- AI chatbots, WhatsApp support and dedicated investor helplines
- Simplified Fire NOCs and leasehold-to-freehold conversions
Mann said Punjab’s industry-friendly policies have drawn new investments from Japan, USA, Germany, UK, Dubai, South Korea, Singapore and Spain—strengthening the state’s position in India’s Ease of Doing Business rankings.
He added that 24 sector-specific committees have been formed to guide policy, ensuring government and industry “work shoulder-to-shoulder” in building a globally competitive industrial ecosystem.