SAD will establish ‘Build Punjab’ department, says Badal

Shiromani Akali Dal President Sukhbir Singh Badal. | Photo Credit: ANI Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal on Friday (October 30, 2026) said if the party assumes power after the Assembly election-2027, their government would provide power to the industrial sector at ₹5 per unit, besides creating a new department by the name of ‘Build Punjab’ to provide time-bound clearances to builders.He was speaking at an open interaction with the trade and industry representatives in Patiala. He said industry had become unviable in Punjab due to high power rates of ₹10-12 per unit. “Besides bringing down these rates, we would allow industrialists to install their own solar power plants which would bring down their power rates to ₹1.50 per unit,” he said.He also announced that, like the Invest Punjab department established by the previous SAD government to ensure time-bound clearances for new investment, a ‘Build Punjab’ department would also be established. “The department will be liable to issue all permissions to builders within one month”Mr. Badal also held interactions with the trade and industry players at Samana and Shutrana. “Traders complained that violence had increased manifold due to drug addiction,” he said, adding that their government would bring in a law to deny bail to drug offenders for ten years. He also announced that their properties would be seized.The SAD president appealed to the trade and industry to compare the previous ten-year tenure of the SAD with the last ten-year rule of the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). “You need to choose the right Chief Minister who is forward-thinking and progressive. Choose the SAD for peace and progress of the State”, he added. Published - October 31, 2026 05:20 am IST