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Punjab Minister of Finance & Planning Parminder Singh Dhindsa predicted a bright future for the industry in Punjab despite the overall gloomy at present. He outlined the challenges faced in industrial growth in the state, while speaking on Friday at a conference on automation at Destination Punjab – an industrial exposition organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) along with the Government of Punjab at the Government College for Women grounds in Ludhiana.
He said Punjab faced a locational disadvantage being far from ports and Central incentives being given to industry in the neighbouring hill states. However, he said the state has a good environment for the industry, as Punjab is soon going to be self-sufficient in power, besides having good infrastructure. He specifically mentioned policy initiatives by the state to remove operational hindrances for industry. He also said facilitating trade with Pakistan through land routes would boost industry in Punjab. He mentioned that teacher training programmes were being organised by the British Council to improve the English communication skills of teachers and skill enhancement programmes in technical education would benefit labour and industry.
Mr N Krishnan, CEO, Valcon Management Consultants, presenting a study, said Punjab had lost its traditional advantage to other states in several industries, but was hopeful that the state would soon pick up again. Ms Sandeep Riat, Chairperson of CII Ludhiana Council and MD of Akal Spring, said Mr Dhindsa’s encouragement and support provided to industry would soon see another industrial resurgence in Punjab.
Mr Dhindsa went around all the stalls patiently at the CII Ludhiana Fair and spoke to a number of entrepreneurs, asking them about their specific problems and also showing interest in their products. His words of encouragement seemed to have lifted the spirits of local SMEs.
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