Unity Mall in Amritsar to Feature Stalls from All States and Union Territories for National Integration

Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema has announced plans to build a Unity Mall in Amritsar. This mall will include stalls from all Indian states and union territories. The initiative aims to promote national unity and highlight Punjab's industrial and cultural diversity.

Cheema revealed this plan while presenting the 2025-26 state budget in the Vidhan Sabha. He stated, "To further promote national integration and showcase Punjab's industrial and cultural diversity, the state proposes to construct a Unity Mall in Amritsar." The mall will also feature stalls from Punjab's 23 districts, providing artisans and entrepreneurs a platform to display and sell their products.

Financial Allocations and Incentives

An allocation of Rs 80 crore has been earmarked for the Unity Mall project. Additionally, Cheema announced an increased allocation of Rs 250 crore for financial incentives to various industries next year. He highlighted that this is the highest allocation in Punjab's history for such incentives.

Cheema criticised previous governments for their lack of support for industry growth. He noted that the previous Congress government spent only Rs 53 crore on financial incentives over five years, while the Akali-BJP government spent nothing during its term. He emphasised that the current government is committed to industrial progress in Punjab.

Support for MSMEs and Technology

The state is implementing projects worth Rs 120 crore under the Raising and Accelerating MSME Performance (RAMP) scheme. These projects aim to enhance market access, financial assistance, and technology adoption for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

To boost innovation and competitiveness, Punjab is establishing Technology Extension Centers (TEC) in key industrial hubs. These centres will be located in Amritsar, Hoshiarpur, Jalandhar, Moga, Patiala, and S.A.S. Nagar Mohali.

Budgetary Proposals

The finance minister proposed a budgetary allocation of Rs 3,426 crore for the industrial sector. This includes subsidised power for industries. Additionally, a dedicated allocation of Rs 10 crore has been proposed for upgrading the R&D Centre and the Institute of Auto Parts and Hand Tools Technology (IAHT) in Ludhiana.

The proposed initiatives reflect the government's commitment to fostering industrial growth and supporting small enterprises in Punjab. By enhancing infrastructure and providing financial incentives, the state aims to create a conducive environment for business development.