The Punjab Plan 2026, a Policy and Governance Summit organised by PANJ Foundation, was successfully convened on 11 March 2026 at MGSIPA, Sector 26, Chandigarh. The summit brought together a distinguished gathering of policymakers, academics, administrators, and media professionals to deliberate on Punjab’s pressing challenges and chart a strategic roadmap for the state’s future. Anchored in the core themes of Punjab, Policy, and Progress, the summit sought to outline a forward-looking vision for governance and development in Punjab. The summit featured a distinguished lineup of speakers from diverse fields. The keynote address was delivered by Ambassador K.C. Singh (Former Diplomat). Special addresses were delivered virtually by leading economists including Prof. Nirvikar Singh (University of California, Santa Cruz) and Prof. Pritam Singh (Oxford Brookes University). The summit began with a panel on “Making State Leadership More Authentic in Punjab,” which included prominent political leaders: Shri Tarun Chugh (National General Secretary, BJP), S. Pargat Singh, MLA (Indian National Congress), Dr. Daljit Singh Cheema (Former Education Minister, Punjab; Senior Leader, Shiromani Akali Dal), and Shri Gurjeet Singh Talwandi (Youth Leader). Their deliberations centred on strengthening leadership authenticity and institutional accountability in Punjab’s political landscape. The summit hosted panel discussions on key themes such as “Sustaining Punjab’s State Finances and Human Capital,” “Leadership for Public Value in Public Service Delivery,” and “Media and Policy Discourse.” These sessions fostered meaningful engagement between policymakers, experts, and civil society stakeholders, highlighting pathways for institutional reform and sustainable development. The summit saw participation from eminent academicians, administrators, and policy experts, including Prof. Upinder Sawhney (Former Professor, Panjab University), Prof. Lakhwinder Singh (Thapar School of Liberal Arts), Prof. Surinder Singh Jodhka (Former Professor of Sociology, JNU), Mr. Suresh Kumar (Former Chief Principal Secretary, Government of Punjab), Dr. Ajay Shah (Co-founder, XKDR Forum), and Dr. Amit Kapoor (Institute for Competitiveness). Senior media voices also contributed to discussions on media and policy discourse, including Mr. Rabindra Narayan (Founder MD and Chairman, GTC Network), Ms. Jyoti Malhotra (Editor-in-Chief, The Tribune), Mr. Ramesh Vinayak (Executive Editor, Hindustan Times), and Mr. Hamir Singh (Founder, Pulaangh TV). Administrative insights were further enriched by Mr. Ramesh Inder Singh (Former Chief Secretary, Government of Punjab.
The event concluded with a closing keynote reflecting on Punjab’s evolving socio-economic and demographic landscape. The summit also concluded with a declaration resolving to establish seven working pillars to guide future policy engagement. These include Governance as a Public Asset, emphasising transparent and accountable institutions; Rejuvenation of Punjab’s Economy, focusing on economic renewal and sustainable growth; Professional Management of Public Finances, aimed at strengthening fiscal discipline and long-term financial stability; Harmonious Sectoral Development, ensuring balanced progress across agriculture, industry, and services; Human Resources as Drivers of Development, prioritising investments in education, skills, and human capital; Resource and Ecological Security, addressing environmental sustainability and responsible resource management; and Institutionalised Leadership and Empowerment, promoting strong leadership structures and participatory governance. This declaration records the collective resolve to rebuild Punjab on strong institutional foundations rooted in justice, economic renewal, fiscal strength, social dignity, and decentralised growth. The Punjab Plan aims to serve as a long-term platform for cross-partisan dialogue and collaborative policymaking. It created a forum for evidence-based deliberations grounded in the lived realities of the state. The initiative seeks to move beyond policy inertia by fostering constructive dialogue and solutions-oriented governance reform. PANJ Foundation was joined by several event partners including CRRID, Sun Foundation, Joti Foundation, Initiators of Change, Rotaract Club of Noble Nexus, United Sikhs, and Mein Punjabi. The summit also received media coverage through partners including GTC News, World Punjabi, and TrueScoop. Through this inaugural edition, The Punjab Plan established itself as a promising forum for informed dialogue and policy innovation, dedicated to shaping a progressive and resilient future for Punjab.