Chamber of Industrial and Commercial Undertakings (CICU) has criticised the decision of ministry of environment and forests for imposing ban on setting up of new industries in Ludhiana city.
CICU general secretary Avtar Singh said setting up of new industries closer to city was the need of the hour, but the ministry's decision would hamper it.
He said small and medium industries were already going through a very crucial stage as there was no large industry near the city, which could help in bulk purchasing.
Singh said the strength of Ludhiana industry was small and medium units, which were about 1.5 lakh in the city, but the industry had not been able to grow and develop.
Joint secretary Upkar Singh Ahuja said the industry was not against environment protection and CICU was taking various steps from time to time by organising awareness programmes, workshops and rain harvesting seminars. etc.
He said this ban would ruin all expectations of growth of small and medium units.