The decision of Punjab industrialists to invest thousands of crores in Madhya Pradesh is a warning bell for Punjab: Balbir Sidhu

Senior Congress leader and former Punjab Health Minister, Balbir Singh Sidhu, has expressed deep concern over the decision of Punjab’s industrialists to invest thousands of crores of rupees in Madhya Pradesh. He said this development, which took place in the presence of Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav in Ludhiana yesterday, has exposed the hollow claims of the Aam Aadmi Party government about making Punjab the number one state in the country in terms of investment.

Mr. Sidhu pointed out that during a meeting held in Ludhiana yesterday, major industrial houses of Punjab assured Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav that they would invest more than ₹15,000 crore in Madhya Pradesh. He mentioned that Rajinder Gupta, head of Punjab’s major industrial group Trident, stated that they would achieve a target of ₹5 lakh crore investment in Madhya Pradesh within the next two years.

He further added that leading industrialists including Rajinder Gupta (Trident), S.P. Oswal (Vardhman), Dinesh Oswal (Nahar Group), and Sanjeev Pahwa (Ralson Tyres) were present at this meeting with the Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister. Mr. Sidhu said that every industrialist present clearly stated that Madhya Pradesh offers far better facilities and a more industry-friendly environment than Punjab. 

He highlighted that representatives of the dyeing industry from Ludhiana even submitted a memorandum to the Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister, requesting necessary support to shift their units there. They also mentioned that the Punjab Chief Minister has not given them an audience for the past three years despite repeated requests to discuss their grievances.

Mr. Sidhu criticized the Aam Aadmi Party government further, stating that making industrialist Sanjeev Arora, elected from Ludhiana West, a minister has had no impact on industrialists. Neither the “vegetable gardens” showcased during elections nor other superficial efforts have been able to retain industrial confidence.

He said that Punjab’s deteriorating law and order situation, rampant corruption at every level, an indifferent bureaucracy, and the state’s poor economic health have forced local industrialists to look outside the state, rather than attracting investors from elsewhere. Mr. Sidhu concluded that the lack of a concrete model and vision for Punjab’s development by the Aam Aadmi Party government has pushed the state to the brink of disaster — a reality clearly evident in Ludhiana yesterday. 

He appealed to all political parties, Punjab-friendly organizations, and philanthropists to come together and collectively devise a strategy to save the state.