Punjab Will Soon Be Front-Running Industrial State: CM Mann

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday said the current political stability and quick decision making mechanism along with "out of box" ideas will soon make the state a front-running industrial state in the country.
     
The chief minister was interacting with industrialists here during the run up to the Progressive Punjab Investment Summit, scheduled to be held on February 23 and 24 at Mohali.
     
"....Punjabis have always excelled in every sphere," Mann said, adding that the entrepreneurs from the state have carved out a niche for themselves across the globe. The day is not far when Punjab will be on the high growth trajectory of industrial growth, according to an official statement quoting Mann. 
     
On the tourism sector, Mann said the state is blessed with several natural resources which can be developed into international tourist destinations.
     
He said the state government is coming up with a concrete proposal for developing Ranjit Sagar dam, Chohal dam, Nurpur Bedi and others into tourist destinations.
     
These tourist spots have a huge potential to put the state on the roadmap of international tourism, he added. He said the holy city will be further developed into a hub of religious and patriotic tourism.
     
The chief minister assured that preference will be given to the local industry while promoting the tourism sector. Rather than inviting big players from within the country and abroad, priority will be given to the local industrialists for developing these tourism spots, he said.
     
Apart from the tourism sector, the state government is also planning to boost the agro-industry. 
     
Currently, Punjab contributes 80 per cent of the total basmati production in the country, Mann said and added that this production will be further enhanced.
     
Entrepreneurs in Punjab will open new vistas of employment for youth, besides giving a major push to industry, he said. The state government has introduced the new industrial policy for Punjab to give further impetus to industry and commerce.
     
This policy has been framed after due consultations with all the stakeholders, especially the industrialists, said Mann, adding that any other suggestion in regard to this policy is always welcome.
     
Later in an interaction with industrialists in Pathankot district, CM Mann said a major thrust on the development of the industry in the border districts of the state will be given to further propel the economic activity in the state.
     
He also slammed the successive governments in the state for "completely ignoring" the border belt of the state. 
     
These governments completely betrayed the residents of border districts by neglecting their immense contribution for the country, he alleged. Mann described the residents of border areas as "true patriots" adding that they braved every odd for the sake of preserving the unity and integrity of the country.
     
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, pointed out Mann.
     
These towns which were once the industrial and trading hubs of the undivided Punjab have been now reduced to petty trading centres, said Mann.
     
Not only this but the people of these border cities had to bear the brunt of even slightest tension at the border, he added. Mann said the state government will soon develop a blueprint for comprehensive development of the industry in the border towns.