Company to enrich tourism landscape: ITC chairman

Our Correspondent

Hoshiarpur, December 25

Sanjiv Puri, chairman and managing director of ITC Ltd, said here on Tuesday that the company has significant presence in all three sectors of the economy of the state—agriculture, manufacturing and services. He was interacting with mediapersons regarding the expansion plans of the company in the state, especially in the Doaba region.

He said: “Our agri business has been working in collaboration with Punjab Agricultural University to improve wheat quality in several districts, whilst enhancing farmers’ income.”

“Besides, the company has procured over 62,000-MT wheat for packaged foods business annually. Moreover, nearly 50,000 acres have been brought under sustainable agriculture in the state. The company is procuring milk from the state as well,” added Puri.

“Technico, a subsidiary of the ITC, which is the largest producer of early generation seed potato in the country, is engaged in extensive agri development programmes in the state. ITC’s nursery and plantation culture activities in the state have generated around 1.5 million days of employment,” Puri said.

He said: “In the latest addition to the hospitality of the state that promises to further enrich the vibrant tourism landscape of Punjab, ITC has announced to open Welcomhotel Amritsar last week. Spread across eight acres of manicured greens, the hotel is centred around a colonnaded mansion, the erstwhile Sandhanwalia Haveli, which traces its origins to the early1900s and has been lovingly restored with all modern comforts while preserving the cultural, architectural and culinary nuances of a splendid era.”

Sanjiv Puri said: “Located close to the airport and a short drive from the revered Golden Temple , the 101 room hotel blends Amritsar’s famed exuberance alongside the tranquil calm of the rustic Raja Sansi.”

“In line with ITC’s credo of Nation First: Sab Saath Badhein, ITC has also spearheaded large scale social investment initiatives in the state in areas like sustainable agriculture, water stewardship, primary education, vocational training, health and sanitation and solid waste management to empower local communities,” added Puri.

Recognising the potential of food processing, Puri said the company has invested in a state of the art Integrated Foods Manufacturing & Logistics (ICML) Facility at Kapurthala, which manufactures world-class packaged food brands.

To promote local entrepreneurship, the company has also set up a number of co-manufacturing units to produce ITC’s diverse range of food products, he said, adding that ITC’s FMCG products reach over 1,64,000 retail outlets across the state, supporting livelihood opportunities of millions of people engaged in trade and distribution.