The Chairman Tata Sons Limited Mr. Cyrus P Mistry today called on the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal here at his official residence. Accompanied by Mr. Madhu Khana, the Group Head-Business Development of Tata Sons Limited, Mr. Mistry who was on his maiden tour of the state had a detailed meeting with the Chief Minister regarding the investment prospects of the company in the state.
Disclosing this here today, a spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s Office said that during the meeting Mr. Badal apprised him that owing to the growth oriented policies of the state government; the Punjab was being looked at as the most preferred investment destination of the country. He said that the state had contributed enormously in various sectors like food grain production, industry and above all in the armed forces for the security as well as development of the country. The Chief Minister offered them to initiate certain joint ventures in IT, Skill Training, Agriculture and Infrastructure with the state government.
Talking about the unprecedented infrastructure development being carried out by the SAD-BJP government, Mr. Badal said that their government had planned projects of thousands of crore for ensuring 100% water supply and sewerage facilities to the people in the state and offered the Tata Company to provide a helping hand in terms of modern technology and expertise to the state government to accomplish this task.
Dwelling on the need of optimum utilization of solar power in farming sector, the Chief Minister apprised Mr. Mistry that Punjab had the largest Canal Irrigation system and the space over these canals could successfully be utilize to set up solar power units. He offered Tata to explore this sector too.
Responding to the issues raised by the Chief Minister, Mr. Mistry said that the Tata Group was keen to initiate any new joint venture in Punjab. A team of experts of the company would soon visit to explore the possibilities and potential for setting up of new ventures in the state, added the Chairman. He also expressed his keen interest in establishing a new Heavy Commercial Vehicle Plant. He further pointed out that company would also seek help from government in strengthing the existing infrastructure of Tata Group in the state.
Expressing the dire need of skill development, Mr. Mistry said that their team would also study all the aspects to set up a new Training and Development Centre in the state for strengthing the skilled work force for the Industrial as well as agriculture sector in collaboration with state government.
The Chairman of Tata Group of Companies agreed to the proposal mooted by the Chief Minister and said that they were looking to undertake all the database information in improving the agriculture sector of Punjab as their was the majority of farmers who were not well aware to resolve agri problems and Tata Company would like to establish a model in the state to provide an effective timely help to the farmers.On the occasion, Mr. Badal presented a replica of Golden Temple, a Siropa (robe of honor) and a sword to Mr. Mistry.
Prominent amongst those who were present on the occasion included Chief Secretary Mr. Rakesh Singh, Principal Secretary to CM Mr. SK Sandhu, Special Principal Secretary Mr. KJS Cheema, Principal Secretary Industry Mr. Karan Avtar Singh and Director Industry Mr. Vikas Partap Singh.