Ludhiana Industrialists Protest at DIC as MLU Deadline Lapses With No Policyਐੱਮਐੱਲਯੂ ਦੀ ਮਿਆਦ ਖ਼ਤਮ, ਲੁਧਿਆਣਾ ਦੇ ਉਦਯੋਗਪਤੀਆਂ ਦਾ ਡੀਆਈਸੀ ਅੱਗੇ ਧਰਨਾ

Small and micro industrialists in Ludhiana staged a dharna outside the District Industries Centre (DIC) on Thursday, October 8, demanding clarity on the Mixed Land Use (MLU) policy that lapsed on September 30 with no replacement from the Punjab government.

Why did Ludhiana industrialists protest?

The protesters said the state government has neither extended the deadline nor said whether units can keep running in MLU areas. According to The Tribune, they alleged that despite approaching local leaders and MLAs, the AAP-led government did not give them a patient hearing. Jaswinder Singh Thukral, president of the Janta Nagar Small Scale Manufacturers Association, said the industry was now operating in an illegal manner and could be asked to shut at any time.

Another manufacturer, Jagbir Singh Sokhi, said the government had made no effort to reach out and warned the agitation would intensify if no solution came in the next few days. The DIC general manager came out to speak to the protesters and assured them their demands would be passed on to the government, according to Dainik Savera.

What is the MLU policy?

The mixed land use policy was introduced by the Shiromani Akali Dal government in 2008 for ten years, after industrialists raised concerns about running units in residential zones, Hindustan Times reported. The state was expected to build alternative industrial hubs, such as the Dhanansu industrial area, so units could relocate. Those hubs did not materialise in time, so the Congress government granted a five-year extension in 2018 and the AAP government a three-year extension in 2023. That last extension ended on September 30.

How many units are affected?

Figures differ by source. The Tribune said more than 50,000 small and micro units operate in MLU areas across about 12 pockets, making items such as machine tools, nuts and bolts, cycle parts and electroplated goods for larger manufacturers. Federation of Industrial and Commercial Organisations (FICO) president Gurmeet Singh Kular told Hindustan Times that around 10,000 units across 72 localities are involved.

What do industry and residents want?

Industry wants established MLU pockets declared official industrial zones, with existing units regularised under a simple policy. FICO's Kular met Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on October 3, and said the CM assured him the government would ensure a timely resolution. Residents of these areas, on the other hand, are demanding that factories be relocated, The Tribune said, which leaves the government with a conflict between two groups.

Kular said many units have been working for three decades or longer, and that small manufacturers cannot afford to buy land, build new sheds and move heavy machinery. Industrialists fear regulatory action if the policy is not renewed.

What happens next?

No new notification had been reported at the time of writing. Protesters have asked for an early decision and a permanent fix rather than another short extension.

What is the MLU deadline in Ludhiana?

The last extension expired on September 30, 2026, and the Punjab government has not yet announced a new one.

Who is protesting?

Small and micro manufacturers from Ludhiana's MLU areas, including the Janta Nagar Small Scale Manufacturers Association, held the dharna outside the DIC.

What do the industrialists want?

They want MLU pockets declared industrial zones and existing units regularised, or at least a quick extension and a permanent solution.