Punjab emerges as first choice of investors, Says Sanjeev Arora

Punjab will get investment of Rs. 260 crores & employment for 400

Minister Arora presides over ground-breaking ceremony of JV-Hero Motors & STP Germany

Chandigarh/Ludhiana 29 October 2025:

The ground-breaking ceremony for the manufacturing facility of Munjal STP Industries Limited, a Joint Venture between Hero Motors Limited (“HML”) and Vermogensverwaltung Plettenberg GmbH and CO KG along with its group companies (“STP Group”) held today at Dhanasu, Ludhiana.In this way, Punjab will receive investment of Rs. 260 crores in the first phase through joint venture and employment for 400 people.

The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by Shri Sanjeev Arora, Industry and Commerce Minister of Punjab, Ms. Seema Bansal, Vice-Chairperson of the Punjab Development Commission, along with several other dignitaries from Industry & Government of Punjab.

Minister Arora said that Punjab Government is tirelessly working in close tandem with industry for overall development of Punjab. HML and STP Group entered into a joint venture agreement in March 2025 to develop, manufacture and sell forging components for the automotive sector. The STP Group, a renowned German forging specialist with six facilities across Germany, produces high-precision forged and machined components for automotive and industrial applications. HML, a technology driven, automotive components company engaged in highly engineered powertrain solutions and alloys & metallics, with R&D spanning India and the United Kingdom and manufacturing facilities spanning India, the United Kingdom, and Thailand.

Arora & Seema have assured Joint Venture proponents of full cooperation from Punjab Govt and approvals in record time. Pankaj Munjal Chairman of HMC praised Punjab Govt for all the cooperation and also applauded all the new policies being envisaged.

Pankaj Munjal, Chairman, HML, said, “Munjal STP Industries Limited represents our drive to strengthen manufacturing in India through collaboration with STP Group. The facility is being set up at Hero Industrial Park, Ludhiana, alongside other key automotive and EV units such as HMC HIVE, HYM Drive Systems Private Limited, and Spur Technologies Private Limited.”

Amit Gupta, MD and CEO, HML, stated, “The new facility will further strengthen our Powertrain Solutions manufacturing footprint, building on our capabilities in supplying gears and transmission solutions to global customers across automotive, aerospace, defence, and industrial segments. It will feature semi-automatic forging lines for complex components, with a focus on cost efficiency and stringent quality standards.”

Cornel Mueller, Chairman and CEO, STP, added, “Our partnership with HML marks a significant step in extending STP’s presence and leveraging India’s advanced manufacturing ecosystem. The collaboration is designed to combine STP’s expertise in high-precision forging with HML’s manufacturing and engineering capabilities, fostering technology exchange and operational excellence between our teams in Germany and India.”

Hero Group was represented by Pankaj Munjal, SK Rai, Ashwairya Munjal, Aditya Munjal, Amity Gupta amongst others.

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CABINET SUB-COMMITTEE TO RECOMMEND OFFICERS' PANEL FOR BRINGING UNIFORMITY IN MINISTERIAL CADRE SERVICE RULES: HARPAL SINGH CHEEMA

HOLDS MEETINGS WITH 5 EMPLOYEE UNIONS, ASSURES RESOLUTION OF LEGITIMATE DEMANDS

Chandigarh, October 29-Taking a step towards resolving the long-pending concerns of the Ministerial Services Cadre, Punjab Finance Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema, who is also the Chairman of the Cabinet Sub-Committee on Employees' Issues, said here today that the Cabinet Sub-Committee would recommend to Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann to form an Officers’ Committee to study the possibility of framing uniform service rules for the Ministerial Services Cadre across various departments to bring uniformity in the service environment of these employees and removing any existing disparities

During a meeting with representatives of the Punjab State Ministerial Services Union, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema assured union representatives that several of their demands are already under process. He further committed that other legitimate concerns would be addressed promptly, reaffirming the government’s commitment to responsive and transparent governance.

In a series of subsequent meetings, the Finance Minister engaged with three unions from the Education Department including the Master Cadre Union, the Elementary Teachers Union, and the Murh Bahal Kachhe Adhiyapak Union. These discussions centered on critical issues such as pay scales, promotional pathways, and leave entitlements. Finance Minister Cheema instructed the Education Department to expedite the resolution of demands currently under review and directed senior officials to hold regular meetings with the union leaders to address additional legitimate concerns.

The Finance Minister also met with representatives of the Punjab Police Corona Warriors Union. He gave a sympathetic hearing to their issues and assured them that their demands would be considered with empathy. He emphasized that the government remains steadfast in its resolve to address genuine grievances and foster a work environment rooted in equity, respect, and accountability.

Among those who presented their demands and concerns were Gurnam Singh Virk, Tarsem Bhathal, and Anirudh Modgul from the Punjab State Ministerial Services Union; Baljinder Singh Dhaliwal, Gurmeet Singh Bhullar, Daljit Singh Sabarwal, and Amarbir Singh from the Master Cadre Union; Harjinderpal Singh Pannu, Satbir Singh Rauni, Harkrishan Singh Mohali, and Gurinder Singh Ghullewali from the Elementary Teachers Union; Vikas Sahini, Lakhwinder Kaur, and Amandeep Kaur from the Murh Bahal Kachhe Adhiyapak Union; and Amarjit Singh, Gurbaj Singh, Pawanbir Singh, and Jagroop Singh from the Punjab Police Corona Warriors Union.

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Paddy arrival crosses 100 Lakh Metric Tonne mark; 97 LMT procured

Payments in excess of Rs. 21000 Crore credited in farmers' accounts

Chandigarh, October 29:In a major milestone, the paddy arrival throughout the mandis has crossed the 100 Lakh Metric Tonne (LMT) mark with over 97 LMT procured.

Terming the accelerated pace of procurement as testimony to the farmer friendly policies of the Punjab Government led by the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak said that the necessary arrangements have been made in the mandis with a view to ensure that no stakeholder whether the farmers, Commission Agents (Arhtiyas), Labourers don't encounter any difficulty. As far as lifting is concerned, more than 77 LMT of the procured crop has been lifted.

Coming to the payments front, the amount in excess of Rs. 21000 Crore stands credited into the accounts of the farmers, said the Minister exhorting the farming community to bring dry produce in the mandis so as to derive full worth of their crop which they have produced with so much hardwork.

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Aman Arora & Sond Pay obeisance at Swaminarayan Akshardham in Gujarat

Offer prayers for Punjab's peace, prosperity, well-being during a visit to reverend temple

Chandigarh/Gandhinagar, October 29:Punjab Employment Generation, Skill Development & Training Minister and State President of the Aam Aadmi Party Mr. Aman Arora, along with Tourism and Cultural Affairs Minister Mr. Tarunpreet Singh Sond, paid obeisance at Swaminarayan Akshardham in Gandhinagar to seek divine blessings.

Mr. Aman Arora and his cabinet colleague offered devout prayers, beseeching the Almighty's eternal blessings upon Punjab and its people. Their prayer fervently sought peace, prosperity and harmony for the state.

Expressing the profound significance of the visit, Mr. Aman Arora stated, “In the divine aura of Akshardham, we prayed from the heart for Punjab's well-being. We sought Bhagwan's blessings to guide our efforts in building a state filled with peace, opportunities, and prosperity for all. This sacred place instills a deep sense of unity and reverence for all faiths, enriching our great nation.”

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IOL Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals Ltd. will invest Rs. 1,400 crore in Punjab, Sanjeev Arora

*Employment opportunities for 2000 people*

Chandigarh 29 October 2025: Aiming to transform Punjab into a vibrant, healthy and future ready state under the dynamic leadership of National Convener Sh. Arvind Kejriwal and Chief Minister Punjab S.Bhagwant Singh Mann, Cabinet Minister Sh. Sanjeev Arora informed that IOL Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals Ltd. whose turnover Rs 2300 crore on annual basis is going to invest Rs. 1,400 Crore in Punjab. Company has planned to establish a new Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) manufacturing facility in village Badbar, District Barnala. It will lead to generate employment opportunities for 2,000 Punjabis.

Addressing the Media, he added that environmental clearance has been obtained for the project and land is under the possession of the company. IOL Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals Ltd. is one of India's leading manufacturers of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) and specialty chemicals. The company is also the world's largest manufacturer of Ibuprofen, a widely used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) for the treatment of pain, fever, and inflammation.

Highlighting further, he stated that the company already operates a manufacturing unit at Fatehgarh Channa, Barnala. Pertinently, the company's investment in Punjab will reach Rs 2533 crore and a total of 3100 people are working in their units.

The proposed 1,400 crore greenfield project at Badbar, Barnala represents a major step in expanding IOL's API production capacity and reinforces Punjab's position as an emerging hub for the pharmaceutical and chemical industries, he said.

According to Arora the total investment into Punjab since AAP government have came, it brought employment to 5 Lakh people with an investment of Rs.1.30 Lakh Crore.

Managing Director of IOL Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals Ltd Sh.Varinder Gupta and Amit Dhaka CEO Invest Promotion were also present and addressed questions from the Press.