Pb CM announces Rs 32 cr for facelift of Ludhiana Focal Points

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singhannounced today Rs 32 crore for the complete facelift of the Ludhiana Focal Points and said a new airport at Halwara would be a "game-changer" for the region's industrial development.

Addressing a gathering of captains of the industry here, the chief minister said all requisite approvals for the Halwara domestic airport was received from the Centre and the Ministry of Defence.

On the occasion, the chief minister also handed over sanction letter of the Development of Oil Expeller Parts and Manufacturing Cluster at Ludhiana to Special Purpose Vehicle, to be set up at a cost of Rs 15 crore.

The chief minister urged the industry to partner with the state government in its endeavour to put Punjab back on the path of industrial growth, assuring them of the state's full support to facilitate the industry.

He promised the industry that his government would continue incorporating changes, as necessary, in the industrial policy to address their evolving needs in the new industrial environment.

If the Constitution can be amended 122 times then the industrial policy could also be changed to facilitate the industry, Singh remarked.

He exhorted the industry to generate more and more jobs to end the unemployment problem in the state and to wean drug-affected youth away from the menace.

Food Supplies Minister Bharat Bhushan Ashu lambasted the previous government for blatantly ignoring the interests of the industry during its 10-year "misrule", and lauded Singh for his initiatives to revive the industry.