Punjab eyes to set up Mohali as North India’s premier IT hub, create 55,000 jobs

CHANDIGARH: The Punjab government is going to implement a new Information Technology (IT) policy aimed at transforming Mohali as North India’s premier IT hub, potentially creating around 55,000 job opportunities. Punjab minister of industry and commerce Tarunpreet Singh Sond announced the same during a session on ‘Industry in Punjab: Challenges in Growth’ at the ‘Vision Punjab 2047’ event.

Sond highlighted that several IT companies and delegations have shown a keen interest in starting operations in Punjab, crediting the state’s business-friendly industrial policy and supportive facilities.

Sond also emphasised that the ‘Invest Punjab’ portal has led national performance metrics, with around 58,000 small and medium industries registered, which is a “a record achievement”. He mentioned that various reforms are under way to position Punjab as the leader in India’s industrial landscape. Based on feedback from industrialists, plans are being developed to enhance the state’s focal points with world-class facilities, he said, adding that in the first phase, focal points of five cities are set to become role models, with significant upgrades expected soon.

Expressing optimism, Sond noted that Punjab’s industrial sector is poised for rapid growth due to its pro-industry policies. He reiterated the state govt’s commitment to supporting industrial progress.

Over the past two-and-a-half years, Punjab has attracted investments worth over Rs 86,000 crore, with efforts ongoing to increase this further, he added.

Sond also outlined plans to expand tourism in Punjab and presented ideas focused on agro-based industries. When an attendee raised concerns about Ludhiana’s Buddha Nullah, Sond shared that the cleaning and restoration plan is in its final stages, and the process would proceed once approved by chief minister Bhagwant Mann.

Minister of school education, technical education, industrial training, and information & public relations, Harjot Singh Bains, while speaking at the event, highlighted the introduction of new technical education courses aligned with industry needs and noted that several certification courses for skilled workers are currently operational in Punjab.