Punjab government recently announced the creation of six new sectoral committees under its efforts to bolster the state's industrial policy and ease of doing business. The emphasis on Jalandhar industry leaders reflects the city's significant position within Punjab's industrial landscape.
During a press conference in Ludhiana on July 26, 2025, Punjab Cabinet Minister Sanjeev Arora announced these new committees that will serve as think tanks, assisting the government in framing sector-wise policies according to Punjab's specific industrial scenario. Each committee consists of a chairman and a few members belonging to respective industries, and is required to submit suggestions by October 1, 2025.
Some of the prominent industrialists from Jalandhar who have been made chairpersons include:
Rajesh Kharbanda, Nivia Sports Managing Director, Jalandhar, and Sports/Leather Goods Committee Chairman. Rajesh Kharbanda speaks on behalf of the Sports Goods Manufacturing and Exporters Association, an industry for which Jalandhar has national recognition.
Ashwani Kumar, President, Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) India and proprietor of Victor Forgings, Jalandhar, is the Chairperson of the Machine/Hand Tools Committee. His presence speaks volumes about the manufacturing and precision tool strength of Jalandhar.
Other chairpersons of the committees come from Ludhiana and Hoshiarpur, but the presence of Rajesh Kharbanda and Ashwani Kumar from Jalandhar attests to the city's contribution particularly in sports goods, leather industries, and machine tool industries sectors, longstanding strongholds propelling Punjab's industrial development.
These committees span industries of major importance such as sports and leather, machine tools, food processing and dairy, tourism and hospitality, heavy machines, and furniture and plywood, with desired outputs ranging from policy innovation through investment attraction and employment generation.
This customized methodology will ensure that Punjab is able to continue to tap its rich industrial legacy, with Jalandhar being centrally located through its prominent industrialists providing quality input at policy-making level.
The administration stresses that these sectoral committees will also comprehensively analyze industrial policies of other states to provide best-in-class policy frameworks specifically designed for Punjab's economic and geographical context.
This measure is likely to propel targeted industrial growth, reaching major cities such as Jalandhar, and further consolidate Punjab's role as a manufacturing and export hub in Northern India.