Punjab wants SEZ in Sri Goindwal Sahib

Punjab's Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs and Information Technology Minister Adesh Partap Singh Kairon asked the Centre for setting up a special economic zone (SEZ) at Sri Goindwal Sahib.

The minister conveyed this to a central government team on SEZs, led by the Commerce Ministry Secretary Gopal K Pillai, during its Punjab's visit to explore the possibilities of setting up SEZs in the state.

Taking part in the deliberations, Kairon said availbilty of land, for the Sri Gobindwal Sahib SEZ, will not be a problem as the Punjab State Information Commission (PSIC) had 250 acres which could be used for the purpose.

Similarly, other chunks of land, measuring over 250 acres, which were owned and in the possession of the government, would also be considered for the setting up of the SEZs.

The minister said this would also help in developing industry in the border areas of the state. Also if the IT sector in the area was developed, it would help the IT students of 'Saharli' and 'Patti' areas, along with providing direct and indirect employment to the thousands of unemployed youth of the state.