Punjab Deputy CM invites NRI's to invest in Punjab

CHANDIGARH:Sukhbir Singh Badal, Deputy Chief Minister Punjab on Saturday gave a call to NRIs to return to roots and become active partner in the economic development of the state.



Inaugurating a conference “Making Punjab : The Skill Capital of the World” organized by International Punjabi Chamber for Service Industries (IPCSI) in collaboration with Institute of Technology  & Future Management Trends (ITFT) here today, Mr.Badal said that with Punjab emerging the main centre of the world to train and export skilled human resource to the world, time has come for NRIs to exploit this strength of Punjab by investing in the state. Presiding over the conference, Mr.Sewa Singh Sekhwan, Minister for NRI Affairs explored Punjabi NRIs to rejuvenate their inherent strengths of hard work, entrepreneurial qualities and dedication.

Mr.Badal said that Punjab was investing heavily in developing human resource according to the changing needs of industry. He said that to provide quality human resource back up to the upcoming industry, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Ropar has already started classes. Moreover, Indian Institute of Information & Technology (IIIT) would be setup soon. The Deputy Chief Minisgter said that with the setting up of World Class Indian School of Business (ISB), second of the country, Punjab was all set for education revolution in the State. He said that the setting up of Central University set up at Bathinda and World-Class University at Amritsar and record investment of  Rs. 104 crore on 13 new degree colleges shows the focus and sincerity of the Government.

Describing NRIs as ambassadors of peace, goodwill and prosperity who had become role model for rest of the world by their sheer hard work, enterprising spirit, Mr. Badal said that time has come when sun would actually rise in the east with India emerging as number 1 economic power of the World.  He said that recent upheavals in the economies of US and other major economic powers, have again depicted that China and India could survive this and achieve double digit growth.  Mr. Badal said that NRIs have seen and enjoyed the best possible time of western economies and time has come that they should return to their roots to become active partner in their Nation emerging as number 1 economic super power.

Promising infrastructure support for economic growth to the NRIs Mr.Badal said that Punjab was committed to provide power for industry, single window clearance of all ventures besides ensuring world class road and air connectivity. He said that fulfilling our commitment to the people of Punjab of making Punjab first power surplus state of the country, the work on four Thermal Plants is on full swing, silencing the skeptics. He said that the work on the 540 MW Goindwal Sahib and 1980 MW Talwandi Sabo Thermal Plant, has been in full swing.  Mr.Badal said that machinery worth Rs 1000 Crore had ordered for Talwandi Sabo Thermal Plant and the order for the same had already been placed by the GVK group for Goindwal Sahib Plant. 1320 MW Rajpura Power plant had been awarded to the L&T group and the State government had been vigorously pursuing the case for sanction of coal link with Union Coal Ministry for 2640 MW Giddarbaha Thermal Project. In addition to it, the financial institutions had sanctioned 80% of loan for 168 MW Shahpur Kandi Project to be constructed at the cost of Rs.1628 crore.  .  This national project declared by GoI would be executed by the state Irrigation Department and completed within 4-5 years, he added.

Inviting NRIs to invest in renewable energy ventures, Mr.Badal informed that Punjab was targeting to produce 140 MW from mini hydel plants, 500 MW from 28 upcoming baggase based  power plants, 200 MW from solar power plants, 208 MW from co-generation plants  besides saving 1850 MW power by replacing  traditional bulbs of 48 lac households with CFL bulbs. Punjab has emerged as pioneer state in implementation of non-conventional energy projects and has unique distinction of commissioning country's first ever solar power plant in the state, he added.

Speaking about the air and road connectivity, Mr.Badal said that with three international airports and two domestic airports, Punjab was all set to emerge as most air connected state of the country.

Giving a call to Punjabis to return to their known values, Mr.Sewa Singh Sekhwan, Minister for NRI Affairs said that time has come that Punjabis who have survived in the most difficult countries due to their hard work, entrepreneurial skills and dedication should pass on these values to the second and third generation NRIs. Invoking the teachings of Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, Mr.Sekhwan reminded that only those countries and states would survive in this competitive era who carve a niche for themselves.

Earlier, Dr.Gulshan Sharma, Secretary General – IPCSI NRI Affairs, made a detailed presentation on the theme of the conference. Besides this, H.S.Mattewal, Advocate General Punjab, Mr.Gurbax Singh Malhi, Canadian Member of Parliament, Mr.S.C.Agrawal, Chief Secretary and Mr.D.S.Bains, Principal Secretary also spoke on the occasion.