On his tour to woo top industrialists to invest in Punjab, Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal on Wednesday managed in his task by roping in Mahindra & Mahindra for establishing Mahindra University at New Chandigarh, Hinduja group for investing in University, solar power and development of cold chain, Adlabs for setting up a theme park in ludhiana, among others.
Mahindra and Mahindra chairman Anand Mahindra announced that his company would establish a world class Mahindra University at New Chandigarh (Mullanpur), besides providing end-to-end solutions in marketing and agro processing of fruits and vegetables in Punjab. The announcement came after Sukhbir briefed him about the Knowledge City coming at Mullanpur besides other initiatives being taken by the state government including creation of a single window for investors and Value Added Tax (VAT) and Central Sales Tax (CST) retentions schemes.
lauding the Deputy Chief Minister for what he termed as the former’s “mission-oriented approach”, Mahindra said: “As far as we are concerned, it will be like returning home by establishing Mahindra University in Punjab”. The proposed University would be an umbrella institution for five engineering colleges being established by Mahindra Group in different parts of the country in technical collaboration with Ecole Centrale Paris of France.
On other initiatives, Mahindra group showed interest processing of fruits and sweet potatoes. On this, Sukhbir urged the Group to enter continuous marketing and agro processing of fruits and vegetables which was agreed upon by Mahindra group head. Sukhbir also urged Mahindra to take up marketing of kinnows from Punjab in the same manner in which it was marketing Indian grapes worldwide.
Hinduja group to invest in university, solar power
Hinduja group executive chairman Ashok P Hinduja offered to establish a University in Punjab, besides agreeing to set up Solar Power Plants, Wheelhouses and cold storages to benefit farmers to sell their produce and reduce wastage. Hinduja also agreed to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Punjab government during the Investment Summit in December for establishment of a Driver’s Training Institute in Punjab. The group also announced that it would establish its zonal office in Mohali.
Adlabs to establish theme park in ludhiana
Encouraged by the rise in number of tourists visiting Punjab, Adlabs chairman Manmohan Shetty evinced interest to set up a theme-based tourist entertainment hub near ludhiana along Satluj river. Deputy Chief Minister said that the government would assist in working out the modalities for the project.
Godrej evinces interest in housing and biomass power
Accepting invitation to attend forthcoming Investment Summit on December 9- 10 in Punjab, Godrej group chairman Adi Godrej evinced interest in housing and biomass power. For the same, Adi Godrej deputed a team on the spot to visit Punjab to work out the modalities even as Sukhbir appointed his special secretary Manvesh Singh Sidhu to work as a point man on behalf of the State.
vodafone assures broadband Connectivity in rural areas
Vodafone Chief Operating Officer Sunil Sood assured to provide broadband connectivity in rural areas, acting swiftly on the proposal mooted by Deputy Chief Minister, who assured that all mobile towers would be provided with 24-hour power connection. Sukhbir also assured that the State Government would regularise all towers as a one-time measure.