Punjab

Bhagwant Mann has embarked on an official visit to the Netherlands with a clear mandate to attract foreign investment and strengthen bilateral economic ties. The outreach focuses on high-potential sectors such as food processing, logistics, pharmaceuticals, alloys and steel, and information technology. With the Netherlands being one of India’s largest foreign investors, the visit underscores Punjab’s ambition to position itself as a preferred destination for global industry by offering policy stability, faster decision-making, and investor-friendly governance.

Punjab is set to strengthen its economic and business infrastructure with the approval of a Rs 250 crore exhibition-cum-convention centre in Mohali. Announced by Industries Minister Sanjeev Arora, the project will be developed over 14 acres in Sector 83 through a public-private partnership model led by Exhicon Events Media Solutions Ltd. Designed to host large-scale national and international events, the facility is expected to generate between 15,000 and 25,000 employment opportunities over the first five years.

The government of Punjab has approved a significant increase in milk procurement prices under its cooperative brand Milkfed Punjab (Verka), effective April 1, 2026. The revision, ranging between Rs 10 and Rs 15 per kilogram of fat, is aimed at improving farmer remuneration and reinforcing the state’s rural economy. Led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the move reflects a broader policy focus on strengthening cooperative institutions and stabilizing dairy sector incomes amid rising input costs.

The Punjab government has introduced an ambitious Rs 1,388 crore action plan for FY27 aimed at revitalizing the state’s agriculture sector through sustainability-focused initiatives. The strategy prioritizes crop residue management, water conservation, crop diversification, and natural farming practices to address long-standing environmental and productivity challenges. A significant Rs 600 crore allocation has been earmarked for tackling stubble burning through mechanization support. 

The Punjab government has announced a significant increase in milk procurement prices under its cooperative brand Milkfed Punjab, aiming to enhance farmer incomes and reinforce the rural economy. Effective April 1, 2026, the revised pricing structure raises rates by Rs 10 to Rs 15 per kilogram of fat. The decision reflects a strategic policy shift to support dairy farmers amid rising input costs and evolving agricultural challenges.

Punjab is set to strengthen its agri-processing ecosystem with the approval of a Rs 18 crore fruit and vegetable processing unit in Chabbewal, Hoshiarpur. Backed by the Union Ministry of Food Processing Industries, the project aims to enhance value addition, reduce post-harvest losses, and create new income streams for farmers. The facility will focus on crops such as peas and potatoes, reflecting regional agricultural strengths.

Punjab is set to witness a significant industrial upswing as Jogindra Group announces an investment of Rs 1,100 crore to expand its operations across steel manufacturing and renewable energy. The move underscores growing investor confidence in the state’s pro-business policies and infrastructure ecosystem. With Rs 700 crore earmarked for steel and Rs 400 crore for green energy initiatives, the expansion is expected to substantially increase production capacity, boost revenues, and generate employment.

A sharp rise in fraudulent phone calls linked to LPG bookings has emerged as a serious concern in Punjab, fueled by rumors of supply disruptions and heightened consumer anxiety. Cybercriminals are exploiting panic-driven demand by impersonating representatives of major gas providers and using phishing tactics to extract sensitive financial information. Authorities warn that increased digital adoption, combined with misinformation about shortages, has created a fertile environment for such scams.

A fresh inter-state dispute has emerged as Bhagwant Mann announced that Punjab will seek Rs. 1.44 lakh crore in unpaid water royalty from Rajasthan. The claim traces back to a pre-independence agreement governing water supply arrangements, under which payments were allegedly discontinued after 1960. With Rajasthan continuing to receive substantial water flows, the issue has resurfaced with financial and political implications.

HPCL-Mittal Energy Limited (HMEL) has announced a major investment of Rs 2,600 crore in the specialty and fine chemicals sector in Punjab, signaling a strategic diversification beyond traditional refining operations. The announcement was made by industrialist Lakshmi Niwas Mittal during the Progressive Punjab Investors Summit 2026. In addition to the chemical sector expansion, the company plans to enter the fuel retail market by establishing 500 fuel stations across India.