· LAYS THE ROADMAP FOR TEXTILE HUB IN BATHINDA, SUGAR HUB IN BORDER AREAS AND IT HUB IN RAJPURA
· ANNOUNCES MEDICITY PROJECT FOR NEW CHANDIGARH( MULLANPUR )
Chandigarh : Sanjay Pahwa :
Punjab Government has initiated an ambitious clean energy project to generate 1500 MW power from the ‘run of the canal turbines’ and Punjab Energy Development Agency (PEDA) has already developed an indigenous prototype of turbines.
Announcing this project in CIIs Annual Punjab Session focused on ‘Transforming Punjab: Implementing Strategies for Growth’ Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal today said that after harnessing 11000 MW from Thermal Power in next two years and 700 MW from renewable energy resources, Punjab was all set to exploit the rivers and canals crisscrossing the Punjab as a part of its irrigation network for producing energy. He said that in the project special turbines would be submerged in the canals and rivers and these turbines would produce more than 1500 MW power and invited private entrepreneurs to become partner in this project of inclusive growth. He said that he was he along with the delegation would visit China next month to explore the latest technology for this project.
Inviting the industry to become the partner in the inclusive growth of industry and share the social responsibility of imparting skills to the youth, Mr. Badal said that when the SAD BJP took over the reins of power, he focused on strengthening infrastructure, power , road and air connectivity of the state. He said that his mission was to offset the weaknesses of Punjab being the landlocked Island. He said that with the vision and without spending a single penny from the treasury, he was able to lure private sector for investing more than Rs. 92000 crore in the power projects, Rs. 20000 crore in Bathinda refinery besides Rs. 6669 crore in road sector. He said that with the clear people friendly policy, Punjab is all set to generate 700 MW power from renewable energy projects including 33 biomass projects Mr. Badal said that besides solving the chronic problem of pollution due to burning of agricultural residues, these projects were giving Rs. 3000 per acre additional income to the farmers.
Focusing on value addition for the agriculture sector Mr. Badal said that Punjab that country has not recognized the importance of Punjab that was feeding 60% of 1.2billion population of country since last 63 years. He said that Punjab from its own resources had been providing free power to the farmers to keep agriculture as a remunerative profession. Expressing concern over exploitation of ground water Mr. Badal said that Union Government refused to consider the request of Punjab to finance up-gradation of canal network of Punjab at the meager cost of Rs. 3000 crore. He warned that if we continue to exploit depleting ground water within 15 years Punjab would be an extension of desert. Mr. Badal said that Union Government should understand that if Punjab fails to feed country, it would be global food crises. He said that to provide value addition to the farmers Punjab was setting up textile hub in Bathinda and Sugar hub in border area of Punjab besides IT hub in Rajpura.
Emphasizing on planned development of tri-city as an integrated hub Mr.Badal said that he has already talked to UT Administrator Mr. Shiv Raj Patil for extending the scope of metro to Mohali and Mullanpur besides Panchkula. He said that to exploit the potential of medical tourism a medicity has been planned in “New Chandigarh (Mullanpur)” and a state of art trade center in Mohali besides knowledge city their also.
Ruing the discriminatory attitude of Congress led UPA towards Punjab Mr. Badal said that despite resurgent central tax collection from the state Punjab was getting only 1.32% of central taxes, He said that if Punjab has grown during last four years it was solely because more than doubling of its revenue that were Rs. 9017 crore four year ago and have reached now Rs. 20408 crore.
Mr. Badal asked CII to drop a programme for upkeep of focal points in the States in partnership with state government.
Earlier explaining the linkages between energy, power, water and agriculture and hence food, Mr Suresh Pabhu, Former Union Minister and currently chairing the Council on Environment, Water & Energy called for integrated policy for energy, water, environment and food. Brainstorming about Punjab he said that water is the key ingredient for the growth recipe of Punjab. Though majorly agrarian in nature, Punjab’s services, manufacturing, and other industry too will survive on water.
Mr Prabhu strongly said that its time to act before the food bowl India becomes the desert of India“While economic and industrial progress of Punjab is important, we also need to keep harmony with the nature. Ground water depletion in the state is a major concern, said Prabhu” , said Mr Prabhu .“Another key issue is energy. About 63% of power is generated from coal. There is a dire need for choosing the right energy mix and utilize the enormous renewable energy for power generation.”, he added.
Pointing at the food inflation, Capt. Sandeep Mehta, CEO Adani Agri Logistics Ltd. highlighted the need for ‘Mechanized Mandis’ in Punjab. Scientific storage silos and also the mechnised handling of grains need to be created.
Earlier in his opening remarks, while welcoming the Deputy Chief Minister, Mr R M Khanna, Chairman, CII Northern Region, outlined the importance to have an integrated approach and focus on effective implementation of all the initiatives and strategies formulated for development of the state. “Punjab needs to have a dedicated skill policy in place and for that we need a skill mission and custom capacity creation” said Mr Balasubramanian, President – NIIT Skills initiative, NIIT Limited. “Thrust on community college and bringing in apprenticeship and internship needs to be encouraged”, he added. Key Industry leaders and eminent luminaries of companies such as Adani Agri & Logistics, Larsen & Toubro, NIIT and Feedback Ventures in diverse sectors of Agriculture, Power, Infrastructure, Manufacturing and Education & Skills shared their thoughts & vision on how Punjab can move up the growth trajectory through inclusive growth of these sectors. Over 100 top CEO’s of companies based in Punjab were present in strength at the session.
· ANNOUNCES PARTNERSHIP PROJECT WITH INDUSTRY FOR UPKEEP OF FOCAL POINTS 
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