Chandigarh:
Chandigarh Business Council (CBC), a non-political representative body of traders, entrepreneurs, and industrial stakeholders, has submitted a detailed memorandum to Mr. H. Rajesh Prasad (IAS), Chief Secretary, Chandigarh Administration, highlighting key challenges faced by the business community and seeking urgent policy interventions.
The delegation was represented by Ajay Gupta – President, Jagdish Arora – Chairman, Neeraj Bajaj – Chief Patron, Sanjay Pahwa – General Secretary, and Chander Verma – Immediate Past President.
Welcoming the Chief Secretary’s leadership, CBC expressed optimism for a progressive and collaborative approach to strengthening Chandigarh’s business ecosystem. The Council highlighted that traders and industrial stakeholders are facing issues such as outdated building bylaws, restrictions on need-based structural changes in SCFs, SCOs, and industrial units, high misuse penalties, and restrictive land policies—factors that are driving businesses towards neighboring regions like Mohali and Panchkula.
CBC proposed key reforms including allowing need-based structural relaxations (such as minor modifications, mezzanine floors, and BOX-type adjustments in inner markets of Sectors 7 to 30), enabling share-wise property transfers, and introducing a time-bound conversion of leasehold properties to freehold. The Council also emphasized the need for industrial policy reforms, including expansion of MSME activities, increased FAR, and development of Industrial Area Phase-3.
Further, CBC urged rationalization of excessive penalties, implementation of a transparent compliance framework, introduction of a single-window clearance system, and rollout of a One-Time Settlement (OTS) scheme for pending tax and legacy cases along with simplification of GST processes. The formation of a dedicated Trade Facilitation Board was also recommended for effective grievance redressal.
Responding to the concerns, Mr. H. Rajesh Prasad, IAS, Chief Secretary, Chandigarh Administration, stated, “The Administration is committed to fostering a business-friendly environment in Chandigarh. The concerns raised by the business community are important, and we will examine them carefully to ensure practical and timely solutions.” He further assured that the Administration will take up these key issues of the business community on priority.
CBC reiterated that Chandigarh’s business sector remains a vital contributor to economic growth and emphasized that timely reforms are essential to sustain competitiveness and prevent migration of enterprises.
The Council expressed confidence that under the Chief Secretary’s leadership, these long-pending concerns will be addressed with urgency and a forward-looking approach.
