Punjab projects got investments of Rs 10,000 cr only: Kalia

Terming the claim of the previous government, that mega projects in Punjab had attracted Rs one lakh crore as investment, as "hollow", Local Bodies and Industry Minister Manoranjan Kalia today said only Rs 10,000 crore have been invested in the so-called mega projects.

"Claim of previous government of attracting the investment of Rs one lakh crore was mere political hype, as only 10 per cent of the claimed investment has so far matured in the state," Kalia told reporters.

It may be mentioned here that former chief minister Amarinder Singh, during his political rallies, had made tall claims of bringing investment of Rs one lakh crore in the form of mega projects in the state.

Asked about the status of special economic zones (SEZs) in the state, Kalia said while two SEZs, including Ranbaxy and Quark in Mohali, were formally sanctioned by the union government but formal approval for SEZ for Amritsar was still awaited.

"The state government has already declared that it will not at all facilitate in the acquisition of land for private companies to set up SEZ and even the union government has also adopted the same policy," he added.

On query regarding the farmers' stir against Trident's alleged forcible acquisition of land, Kalia said although the High Court has already given its nod to the land acquisition, still for the welfare of farmers, talks with the industrial house was going to increase the compensation for farmers.

Regarding the much hyped project of Reliance Industries Ltd for setting up rural hubs in the state, which generated controversies for alleged dolling out of land almost free of cost to the company, Minister said since the Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was pending in the court against the project, the state government would review the project once the court delivers its verdict on the PIL.

Earlier, Minister disursed capital subsidy amounting to Rs 8.25 crore to 130 industrial units in a function organised here.

The industrialists apprised the minister about the shortage of raw material due to the union government's policy of exporting iron ore. The minister assured them that he would take up the issue with ministry concerned at the centre.