Institute to guide economic progress

Amritsar, January 14

Educationists and intelligentsia have demanded a state-level policy institute to guide future course of economic progress in Punjab. A city-based industrialist, Suneet Kochar, advocated synergising of industry with agriculture. He said, “So far, there has been much talk on setting up of agro-based industry, but it has ended with plan and proposals to establish juice and pickle industry.”

He said a planning board on lines of Niti Ayog could provide realistic ideas.

An educationist Kulwant Singh Ankhi advocated setting up of a think-tank for planning and resurrection of sick industry. The Punjab Pradesh Beopar Mandal president, PL Seth, said, “The industry here is grappling with labour shortage and expensive power.” The Amritsar Hotel and Restaurant Association president, APS Chatha, said the government had failed to support hospitality industry. — TNS