Centre should create right atmosphere for the industry: Amarinder Singh

At a time when the country's economy is facing a slowdown, Punjab chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh believes that the state is insulated from the current crisis with more investment and jobs being created. In an exclusive interview with Shine Jacob on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum's India Economic Summit held in New Delhi, he also talks about the steps that Prime Minister Narendra Modi should take to revive the industry and the future of the Congress party. Edited Excerpts

With the Indian economy going through a slowdown, what are the issues you are facing in the state?

It is a tough economic scenario globally and even in the country. But if somebody asks me about the economy of Punjab, I don't see any such concerns. I think Punjab is out of this crisis, because for some reason people are looking at us and money is coming to the system. In the last two years, we have seen over Rs 50,000 crore worth of investments coming to the state, which is over $7 billion and this has never happened before in the state. So, slowdown seems to be not a reality, at least for Punjab.

Do you think slowdown has impacted the job market?

In my state, I have added more jobs in the last two years. Over 1.1 million jobs were created so far. We have our unique Ghar Ghar Rozgar scheme, the recent edition of which just got concluded in September. This fifth edition created over 100,000 jobs. In addition, a lot of youth were identified for self-employment projects that would be facilitated by the state government.  

Are you seeing enough interest from foreign players?

Various companies and governments from countries, like Singapore, Germany, Japan, have shown interest. Nothing concrete on the ground, at present. So far, major investment commitments are coming from the Indian players. The Japanese have agreed to come up with an industrial township. These initiatives will promote small and medium enterprises in the manufacturing sector. The Japanese want their about 1200 acres of land. Overall, we are very optimistic about the future of foreign investment in the state.  

Do you think the Union government is taking enough measures for reviving the economy? What more can be done?  

The Centre should create the right atmosphere for the industry and also for more jobs to be created across the country. You have to give more incentives to revive industry and economy. Take the case of steel industry. Punjab has steel city (Mandi Gobindgarh). We have more than 400 units there, out of which majority are not working now. You have to take relief measures for such units. We had given some relief to industry by bringing down tariff. To bring in more investment to the state, we have kept industrial power tariff as low as Rs 5 per unit for five years. This has helped a lot in creating investor interests. Such measures brings in more relief to the industry. Measures are needed to be taken to increase consumer interests as well.

What are the prospects of your party considering that Rahul Gandhi has quit as party president?

I am sure, in due course, the leadership will take its final decision. But, Rahulji has opted out for the moment. Soniaji has filled in the gap and she has been party president for many years. I was the president in 1998. In due course, I am sure that the younger generation in the Congress will take up leadership positions.