Punjab's industry needs revival: PM

While dedicating the Rs 21,500-crore Guru Gobind Singh Refinery to the nation here yesterday, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said the refinery would make a big contribution towards the state’s economic development.

He stressed the state’s need for a new wave of industrialisation to regain its lost glory, and urged Punjab to explore the potential in Information Technology (IT), focus on skill development and better infrastructure, including roads and power supply.

The PM expected that the refinery, a joint project by HPCL and Mittal Energy Limited (HMEL), would provide impetus for the setting up of a number of major industries and ancillary units. It would lead to sustained growth and development in and around Bathinda.

Lauding Punjab as the torch-bearer of the Green Revolution, Singh said that the state had made immense contribution to the country’s food security. “Punjab’s hard working farmers have fed the nation and have also had a glorious history of industrial growth, especially in the small and medium sectors,” he added.

However, the PM noted that over the last two decades, Punjab has lost its leadership role in many areas of the industry. Apart from contributing to the economic growth of the state, a new wave of industrialisation would also create new employment opportunities for the youth of the state.

He emphasised that the state should lay far greater emphasis on initiatives for skill development and vocational education. “Punjab has not lived up to its potential in areas such as IT and we need to correct this situation. We also need improved infrastructure in Punjab like better road and transport facilities, reliable power supply and so on,” Singh said.

Earlier, in order to put the state on fast track, state Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal requested the PM to constitute an expert committee. According to Badal, the committee comprising of three to four members would suggest ways, means and devise strategies to put Punjab again on the growth trajectory.

He admitted that the state has lagged behind as compared to other states in various areas and demanded an economic package for Punjab on the lines of hilly areas besides fixation of Minimum Support Price of food grain crops based on the recommendation of agri-scientist M S Swaminathan. He also demanded a moratorium on spiralling debt.

Badal raised an issue to grant moratorium on the repayment of the loan advanced to Punjab for the next five years as the 13th Finance Commission had already recommended such concessions for the debt-ridden states of Punjab, Kerala and West Bengal.

He also urged the PM to take initiatives for opening of Hussainiwala border to further boost the bilateral trade ties between India and Pakistan besides enhancing the list of items from 137 to around 6,000 traded through ICP Attari to bring it at par with the Mumbai-Karachi sea route.

Badal also urged Singh to immediately direct the Ministry of Civil Aviation to allow international flights from Mohali and domestic flights from Bathinda Airports in order to facilitate the prospective investors and entrepreneurs who intend to make investments in the state.