Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Thursday, 28 May 2026, welcomed the Chandigarh Administration (Union Territory)'s decision to adopt the Punjab Right to Business Act, calling it a major recognition of the state's industry-friendly policies and a matter of pride for all Punjabis.

Context

Posting in Punjabi on X, Mann wrote: 'ਪੰਜਾਬ ਦੀਆਂ ਉਦਯੋਗ ਪੱਖੀ ਨੀਤੀਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਵੱਡੀ ਮਾਨਤਾ' ['A major recognition for Punjab's industry-friendly policies'], adding that it is 'a matter of great pride for all of us' that Chandigarh UT Administration has decided to adopt the 'Punjab Right to Business Act' — referred to as a law of 'ਤੁਹਾਡੀ ਸਰਕਾਰ' ['your government']. He further said the law provides a 'legal guarantee of time-bound approvals for businesses and protection from inspector raj.'

Mann also noted that 'today the echo of the success of the Punjab Model is being heard in other states and Union Territories as well,' reaffirming his government's commitment to making Punjab the country's most preferred destination for industry.

Policy Backdrop

The Punjab Right to Business Act is a legislative framework enacted by the Aam Aadmi Party government in Punjab, designed to guarantee time-bound clearances for businesses and shield entrepreneurs from excessive regulatory inspections — a practice commonly referred to as inspector raj. The Act represents a legal, enforceable commitment rather than a mere administrative guideline, distinguishing it from earlier single-window clearance mechanisms introduced by other states.

The broader national push for ease of doing business gained momentum after the Government of India launched its Ease of Doing Business initiative and Business Reforms Action Plan in 2014, prompting states to compete in reducing regulatory burdens. States such as Maharashtra and Gujarat introduced time-bound approval systems between 2015 and 2020, but Punjab's approach of encoding these guarantees into a standalone statute adds a layer of legal accountability.

Stakeholders and Impact

Businesses and industries operating in or considering investment in Chandigarh stand to benefit most directly, as the UT's adoption of the Act means entrepreneurs will be entitled to approvals within defined timelines and protected from arbitrary inspections. For the AAP government in Punjab, the development is politically significant — it positions the 'Punjab Model' as an exportable governance template rather than a state-specific experiment.

Under competitive federalism, Union Territories and states frequently benchmark and replicate successful policy experiments. Chandigarh's geographic and administrative proximity to Punjab makes it a natural first adopter, but Mann's post signals an ambition for wider replication across India.

What's Next

Attention will now turn to the rollout timelines and actual implementation of the adopted Act within Chandigarh UT, including whether the UT administration frames its own supplementary rules or adopts Punjab's framework wholesale. Observers will also watch whether additional states or Union Territories announce similar adoptions, which would lend further credibility to Mann's claim of a growing 'Punjab Model' resonance nationally.

For Bhagwant Mann and the AAP, the development offers a governance narrative ahead of future electoral cycles — that policy innovation in Punjab is setting benchmarks for the rest of the country.