Chandigarh: Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) northern region chairperson Puneet Kaura met with Punjab governor and UT administrator Gulab Chand Kataria and Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann to propose a series of development initiatives, focusing on transforming Chandigarh into a sustainable technology hub and accelerating industrial modernisation across Punjab.Smart, green and connectedKaura proposed positioning Chandigarh as a “Smart and Green Certified City” through a collaborative industry-govt partnership. He urged the administration to collaborate with the CII and the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) to enhance environmental performance via improved waste segregation, recycling, energy efficiency, and green infrastructure.To boost economic growth, Kaura pitched the city as an ideal hub for global capability centres (GCCs), highlighting its skilled workforce, institutional ecosystem, and quality of life. Additionally, the CII emphasised the urgent need to expand air connectivity from Chandigarh to attract investments, businesses, and talent to the city and the broader northern region.Technology and skills meet agricultureDuring his meeting with CM Bhagwant Mann, Kaura discussed bolstering the state’s economy through artificial intelligence (AI) adoption by MSMEs, advanced skilling, and infrastructure development.The state govt expressed keen interest in partnering with CII to strengthen agriculture and horticulture, aiming to increase value for farmers and create new industrial opportunities. Furthermore, the CII proposed establishing a multi-skill training centre, requesting land and infrastructure support from the state.Addressing operational challenges, Kaura flagged power supply issues faced by industries during peak seasons and stressed the need for reliable electricity. The Punjab chief secretary assured that the govt is addressing these concerns.For rural development, the CII Foundation—which currently operates in over 820 villages across eight districts—proposed adopting 50 additional villages. CM Mann encouraged the organisation to include more villages in Sangrur.Finally, Kaura called for increased investments in progressive sectors, specifically highlighting high-value manufacturing, defense ecosystems, and drone technology.
