Chandigarh: Cabinet Minister Sanjeev Arora today announced that Punjab has attracted investments worth ₹1.50 lakh crore (approximately USD 19 billion) since the formation of the AAP Government, resulting in the creation of more than five lakh employment opportunities across the State. Highlighting the Government’s commitment to making Punjab a preferred destination for investors and a leading industrial hub, he listed major investments in the last five months, including HPCL Mittal Energy Limited (₹2,600 crore), Vardhman Steels (₹3,000 crore), Trident Group (₹2,000 crore), IOL Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals (₹1,400 crore), Happy Forgings (₹1,000 crore), Veerka Beverages (₹987 crore), Fortis Healthcare Mohali (₹900 crore), Amber Enterprises (₹500 crore), Infosys (₹285 crore) and Toppan Speciality Films (₹300–400 crore).
Looking ahead, the Minister said the 6th Progressive Punjab Investors Summit–2026 will be held from March 13 to 15, 2026, in Mohali, which is expected to give a major boost to the State’s industrial ecosystem. He added that the recent visits to Japan and South Korea were highly successful and are likely to attract fresh foreign investments, creating new opportunities for entrepreneurs. To facilitate investment, the State Government has streamlined industrial approvals, ensuring all permissions are granted within 5 to 45 days.
Punjab has also been recognized as a “Top Achiever” under the Business Reforms Action Plan (BRAP)-2024 by the Government of India. In a major relief to industry and traders, the State has introduced a single 0.25% stamp duty on total loan amounts (capped at ₹5 lakh) and reduced the registration fee on Equitable Mortgages from ₹1,00,000 to ₹1,000. Additionally, the Right to Business (RTB) Act 2.0 and amendments to the Punjab Right to Business Act, 2020, allow eligible enterprises to start or expand operations based on self-declaration, with in-principle approvals issued within 5 to 18 days. About 2,000 units have already benefited from this initiative.
The Minister further highlighted government efforts to engage industry directly in policy formulation through 24 sector-specific committees and the “Rising Punjab – Suggestions to Solutions” series across key districts. Attractive fiscal incentives, including SGST reimbursements, electricity duty and stamp duty exemptions, and MSME-specific benefits, have been provided, totaling ₹29,933 crore to 1,145 units since March 2022. Concluding, Minister Arora said an OTS Scheme has been approved for existing allottees, addressing long-pending industry demands, alongside policies for leasehold-to-freehold conversion, plot restructuring, and an appellate authority for grievance redressal.
