Farming on the wane, Punjab must change with times: CM
MOHALI: “We are an open house. We will be at your service.” Chief minister Capt Amarinder Singh reiterated that his government is serious about the need to reinvent Punjab’s economy to curb unemployment, and he is ready to give all entrepreneurial efforts a boost.
Addressing a gathering of entrepreneurs at TiECon-18 at Indian School of Business on Thursday, he also cited the reason for this shift. There was a time when India had to go around with a begging bowl for food, he said. “Punjab with 2% of India’s population produced 50% of national foodgrains.” Things have changed, other states have developed, and Punjab’s grains are not required any longer to that degree. “Rice we don’t require at all,” he said.
His statement comes close on the heels of Niti Aayog’s strong message to Punjab, asking it to set its house in order and not worry about national food security.
Pointing out that Punjab is behind national growth rate of 7%, he called for focus on industry. “Punjab has competence, the atmosphere… Our problem is opportunity,” he said.
Earlier, ISB dean Rajendra Srivastava — recounting the growth of Austin, Texas (US), into a world-class tech hub — said that Punjab needs a confluence of educational institutes, private sector and government for the big push. TiE chairman IS Paul pointed out that the region has substantial human capital, and TiE, a non-profit body with over 240 members in the region, can help with capital. It is for the government to provide the right ecosystem, he said. “We should focus on one technology and specialise in it. Entrepreneurship is best guarantee for jobs.” The CM said there are a 9 ,million underemployed or unemployed youth in Punjab: “World is changing; we must keep pace.”
TiE Chandigarh president Alok Ramsisaria declared, “For the first time we are hearing a CM say ‘we are there for you’.”
INCUBATOR TO LAUNCH 50 ENTREPRENEURS
Invest Punjab (or Punjab Bureau of Investment Promotion) signed a memorandum of understanding with Param Singh, the Australia-based founder of UDAY and Project Mooo, for setting up a social incubator for profit-with-purpose enterprises, in the presence of CM Capt Amarinder Singh during the conclave on Thursday. To start with, the two partners will set up incubators at Mohali and Amritsar. Param Singh said they will encourage and fund entrepreneurs in the field of agriculture, soil health, water, education and rural development. “Our aim is to fund and mentor 50 entrepreneurs in the next two years.”
CAPT MEETS WEBSITE HEAD FOR PACT ON JOBS
Meanwhile, the state is exploring the possibility of collaborating with the job-search portal Naukri.com.
This was stated by an official spokesperson after a meeting between the CM and the portal’s promoter Hitesh Oberoi on the sidelines of TiECon in Mohali.
RESOLUTION AGAINST RANJIT SINGH PANEL
The party also passed a resolution rejecting the Justice Ranjit Singh Inquiry Commission formed by the state government to probe sacrilege incidents of Guru Granth Sahib. The resolution was passed at a “Pol Khol” rally held at Koom Kalan, 20km from Ludhiana, in presence of Sukhbir and other leaders. HTC
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Punjab is behind the national growth rate of 7%, and we need to focus on industry. Punjab has the competence, atmosphere… Our problem is opportunity.
CAPT AMARINDER SINGH, CM