Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday announced a major thrust on the development of the industry in the border districts of the state to further propel the economic activity in the state.
The Chief Minister, while interacting with the industrialists here as a part of the run up of the Invest Punjab Summit slated to take place on February 23-24 at Mohali, slammed the successive governments in the state for completely ignoring the border belt of the state.
He said that these governments have completely betrayed the residents of border districts by neglecting their immense contribution for the country. Bhagwant Mann described the residents of border areas as ‘true patriots’ adding that they have braved every odd for the sake of preserving the unity and integrity of the country.
The Chief Minister said that division of the country and wars with Pakistan in the post-independence era had given a fatal blow to the development and prosperity of the border towns of Punjab. He said that these towns which were once the industrial and trading hubs of the undivided Punjab have been now reduced to petty trading centers.
Likewise, Bhagwant Mann said that not only this but the people of these border cities had to bear the brunt of even slightest tension at the border.However, the Chief Minister bemoaned that instead of recognizing the enormous contribution of these people in preserving the unity and integrity of the country, the previous state governments have completely turned a blind eye towards these areas.
He said that these hard working, brave and resilient people of these towns had contributed immensely by developing the industries in the state. However, Bhagwant Mann said that the state governments did nothing to promote their industry.
The Chief Minister asserted that the state government will soon develop a blueprint for comprehensive development of the industry in the border towns. He said that is the need of hour for developing Punjab as ‘hub of industry’ on one hand and opening new vistas of employment for the youth on the other.
Announcing a major boost to the Tourism industry across the state by harnessing the immense potential of this sector, Bhagwant Mann, while citing the example of Ranjit Sagar Dam, said that the state is blessed with several natural resources which can be developed into international tourist destinations.
The Chief Minister envisioned that these tourist spots have huge potential to put the state on the roadmap of international tourism. He said that the state government will make concerted efforts for safeguarding, promoting and expanding the existing industrial units in the state.
Bhagwant Mann said that the industrialists have played a key role in socio-economic growth of the country adding that these industries have carved a niche for them across the globe and the state government will make every effort to ensure that their interests are safeguarded.The Chief Minister said that no stone will be left unturned to ensure that these existing units compete well with the other industries at the national and international level.
He further said that the main motive of organizing these interactive sessions across the state is to ensure maximum participation of the local industry in the progressive Punjab investors summit slated to take place at Mohali on February 23-24.
Bhagwant Mann said that the participation of the local industry is the need of the hour to showcase the vast potential of the state to the world.The Chief Minister reiterated that the local industry should become the brand ambassador of state for emerging it as an industrial hub across the globe.
He said that the state government has provided the most Conducive environment to the industry in the state. Bhagwant Mann said that a Punjabi is a born entrepreneur and every one of us must make efforts to put the state on a high orbit of industrial growth trajectory.
The Chief Minister said that he had gone to Chennai, Hyderabad and Mumbai to invite the industrialists to the summit. He said that the industrial honchos in these metros were surprised to note the vast potential of industrial growth in the state.
Bhagwant Mann said that due to strenuous efforts of the state government these industrialists are now ready to invest in Punjab.The Chief Minister said that the state government has introduced the new industrial Policy for Punjab to give further impetus to Industry and commerce.
He said that this policy has been framed after due consultations with all the stakeholders especially the industrialists. Bhagwant Mann said that further suggestions by the industrialists in this regard are also welcome to give fillip to the industry.
On the occasion Cabinet Ministers Lal Chand Kataruchak and Anmol Gagan Mann, Principal Secretary Industries Dilip Kumar, CEO Invest Punjab KK Yadav and others were also present.