Cabinet Minister Sanjeev Arora outlines new industrial policy proposal based on inputs from sector-specific committees.

Punjab’s Government is set to introduce a new industrial policy aimed at being the most progressive in India, fostering an environment conducive to industrial development and job creation in the state. According to Cabinet Minister Sanjeev Arora, the policy will be shaped through in-depth consultations with key stakeholders across various industries.

As an initial step, the government plans to formally establish sector-specific committees to enable a structured and collaborative dialogue between industry players and the administration. These committees will operate for an initial period of two years, with the possibility of extension at the government’s discretion.

The sectors identified include:

1. Textile (Spinning, Weaving, Apparel, Dyeing & Finishing)

2. Information Technology

3. Sports and Leather Goods

4. Machine Tools

5. Bicycle Manufacturing

6. Automotive and Auto Parts

7. Heavy Machinery

8. Electric Vehicles

9. Renewable Energy

10. Food Processing & Dairy

11. Steel & Rolling Mills

12. Furniture & Plywood

13. Plastics and Chemicals

14. Logistics & Warehousing

15. Tourism & Hospitality

16. Film & Media

17. Pharmaceuticals & Biotechnology

18. Hospitals & Healthcare

19. Universities & Coaching Institutes

20. Startups

21. Retail

22. Electronic Systems Design & Manufacturing (ESDM)

Minister Arora stated that the first responsibility of each committee will be to evaluate Punjab’s current industrial ecosystem within their sector and submit comprehensive recommendations for the new policy. These recommendations should reflect the state’s unique economic and structural conditions and must be submitted within 45 days of committee formation.

Each committee will be chaired by a sector expert and comprise 8–10 industry representatives, with the option to include additional members as needed. These members will reflect diversity in scale, geography, and sub-segments to ensure balanced representation.

The committees will conduct independent meetings and deliberations, with administrative support from an Additional Deputy Commissioner serving as Secretary, along with assistance from a GM DIC (Department of Industries & Commerce) and the sector-specific officer from PBIP. The government retains the authority to revise committee composition or terms of reference as needed.