Media Center

Faridabad Industrial Association (FIA) organised its 65th Annual general meeting (AGM) recently at the Radisson Blu Hotel. Krishan Pal Gurjar, Union Minister of State, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, GOI and Vipul Goel, Minister of Industries, Commerce and Environment & Industrial Training, Haryana were guest of honour on the occasion. The program started with the lighting of the inaugural lamp by Krishan Pal and Vipul Goel, FIA President- Sanjeev Khamka and other dignitaries on the dias. Welcoming the guest of honour, Khemka lauded the efforts made the state government in the overall development of the state and said that the association has been performing the task of a bridge between the industry and the government. He recalled the difficulties faced by the industry last year when a ban was imposed on the use of pet coke. He also mentioned the initial hardships faced by the industry on the implementation of the goods and service tax (GST), however he lauded this bold and far reaching initiative of the central government.

In his address, Sanjeev Khemka also talked in details about the taking over of the development of Town Park in sector 12 by JCB India LTD under CSR, the help being extended to the Kerala flood victims by the industries of Faridabad which included materials of daily use amounting to about Rs 2.5 Crore that was sent by FIA members. In his address, Khemka raised the demand of making available low cost land for industries. He also placed a demand to provide low cost housing for the workers of the industry. Khemka said, "Industrialists will not oppose the move to convert to cleaner fuels, but we demand augmented gas supplies and an enhanced network that provides connectivity to all the industrial areas at affordable and competitive costs." Hence, Govt should provide full support for the upliftment of the industries. He further added that FIA has set up a Skill Development Centre where youth are being provided skill training.

Speaking on the occasion, Industries Minister of Haryana Vipul Goel revealed that the project for development of industrial sectors of Faridabad was estimated to be completed in Rs 130 crores. However, on inviting tenders, the cost has increased to Rs 300 crores that has been approved by the government. He also informed that it has been decided to provide power to the industries in C and D category at a rate of Rs 4.25 per unit. He said that it is expected that the unit rate of power would be reduced in a matter of two to three months.

Speaking about the developments the current BJP government has given not only to the state of Haryana but to the country as a whole, Krishan Pal Gurjar said, "Had the previous Govt taken care of the development in the state, the situation would have been much better." An honest effort in this direction by the earlier governments would have made life much more comfortable for the citizens. Narrating the detail of projects he talked off the completion of KMP highway within the regime of BJP in the last four years. The progress of KGP highway is on fast track. To provide seamless traffic movement from Badarpur to Hodal, a series of flyovers has been made or are in the process of being made. He also made a special mention of making the railway over bridge at Ballabgarh seven laned.

On this occasion outstanding industrialists were awarded in their respective categories while Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to GC Narang - EX General Secretary of the association and Co- Chairman of the energy panel. The stage was managed by FIA General Secretary Jasmeet Singh who conveyed his gratitude to the Guests of Honour for sparing their valuable time and attended the function. The vote of thanks was presented by ace industrialist KC Lakhani who presented special thanks to the Industries minister for the increase in budget for industrial infrastructure development.

Present on the occasion were Navdeep Chawla, JP Malhotra of DLF Industries Association, Ramneek Prabhakar of MAF, SK Goel, Narendra Gupta, Narendra Aggarwal, Gunjan Lakhani, Sunil Gulati, Sanjay Gulati, BR Bhatia, Satish Gossain, Rajiv Kapoor, Dhruv Batra, HL Bhutani, Col S Kapoor, Jasmeet Singh, Navneet Gumber and other dignitaries.