Region in Parliament: Punjab’s textile and apparel exports dip

Punjab’s textile and apparel exports dropped significantly over three years, from $2,111.5 million in 2020-21 to $1,500.4 million in 2022-23, Minister of State for Textiles Pabitra Margherita informed the Rajya Sabha on being asked a question by MP Sanjeev Arora.

Modernisation of Mohali’s Semi-Conductor Lab

The Centre has approved the modernisation of the Semi-Conductor Laboratory (SCL) in Mohali, with stakeholder consultations underway, said Jitin Prasada, MoS for Electronics and Technology.

15.14 lakh trained under digital literacy scheme

Punjab trained 15.14 lakh youth under the Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyaan (PMGDISHA), with the highest numbers from Patiala (1.34 lakh), Ferozepur (1.28 lakh) and Fazilka (1.15 lakh), Minister of State for Electronics and Technology Jitin Prasada.

Mega food parks in Haryana, Punjab

Haryana has two approved mega food parks, but only one is operational, employing 600 workers, according to MoS for Food Processing Industry Ravneet Singh Bittu. In Punjab, two of the three approved parks are functional. Nationwide, 24 of 41 parks are operational.

Area under cotton crop down in Punjab

Punjab’s cotton acreage has decreased over the past decade due to erratic rainfall, extreme temperatures, pest attacks and a shift to more lucrative crops, said Minister for Textiles, Pabitra Margherita.