08032026-LT-01.qxd 3/8/2026 1:01 AM Page 1 c m y b Ludhiana tribune BIZMEN GET TRAINING TO MAKE BIOENZYME-BASED CLEANER SEECHEWAL URGES CENTRE TO PROTECT SIKH SHRINES IN IRAN Training was aimed at promoting eco-friendly product development among budding entrepreneurs. P3 RS member Balbir Singh Seechewal has appealed to Centre to ensure protection of Sikh shrines in Iran.P3 » » BREAKING BARRIERS, OWNING THE SPOTLIGHT FORECAST PARTLY CLOUDY MAX 33°C | MIN 17°C YESTERDAY MAX 33°C | MIN 16°C SUNSET SUNDAY 6.25 PM On International Women’s Day, a look at actresses reshaping narratives on and off screen. P4 SUNRISE MONDAY 6:41 AM » SUNDAY | 8 MARCH 2026 | LUDHIANA INDUSTRIAL AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT POLICY, 2026 Mixed response from bizmen; best in country, says minister Arora highlights 24 committees formed to formulate it Shivani Bhakoo Ludhiana, March 7 The Industrial and Business Development Policy, 2026, was launched here by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann in the presence of industrialists and Industries Minister Sanjeev Arora. Punjab’s industrial policy was the best in the country and ever launched in the state, said Arora while interacting with the media after unveiling the policy in the presence of industrialists on Saturday. Arora claimed that state’s policy would have 20 types of incentives and every industry specified in it would get incentives. In fact, every industry had a separate exclusive policy. Arora highlighted that 24 committees were formed to formulate the policy and people from diverse backgrounds were part of the panels. Members of the committees along with officials of the departments concerned had given their suggestions. “You will be surprised to know that 78 per cent recommendations of the committees were implemented while remaining could not be implemented due to some unavoidable issues, mostly on the part of the Centre. I assure that the HIMANSHU MAHAJAN Tribune News Service Industries Minister Sanjeev Arora addresses the media in Ludhiana. policy is the best in the country and ever launched in Punjab as it will open doors for the development of industries in the state,” he said. While welcoming the new policy, Pankaj Sharma, president of the Association of Trade and Industrial Undertakings (ATIU), said it reflects a positive intent of the state government to revive industrial growth and attract fresh investment into Punjab. He welcomed the government’s emphasis on promoting new investments, providing capital and interest subsidies, SGST reimbursements and development of industrial parks and logistics infrastructure. “The recognition of MSMEs as the backbone of state’s industrial economy and the focus on simplifying approvals through digital platforms are encouraging steps that can help improve the overall ease of doing business in the state,” he said. Finance secretary of the association Sanjiv Gupta said the policy’s attempt to promote emerging sectors such as electric vehicles, electronics manufacturing, renewable energy and food processing was also a forward-looking move which could help diversify state’s industrial base and open new avenues for growth. At the same time, industrialists feel that the policy intent was commendable but certain critical concerns of existing manufacturing sectors still need Home Guard’s son opens fire at neighbour in Payal Mahesh Sharma Payal, March 7 A local man was shot in the forehead by his neighbour on Saturday evening. The victim, identified as Satnam Singh (40) of Ward 7, Payal, was rushed to the Civil Hospital, Payal, in an unconscious state around 7.30 pm and was referred to Rajindra Hospital, Patiala, on the demand of his relatives as his condition was stated to be critical. Payal DSP Jasbinder Singh Khera said the police have initiated process against Sukhbir Victim referred to Patiala hospital in critical condition Singh, the prime suspect. Sources said the key suspect, son of a Home Guard posted at a police station in the Ludhiana Commissionerate, had allegedly shot him in the forehead. Senior Medical Officer, Payal, Harvinder Singh Kaler, confirmed that Satnam was brought to hospital in a serious condition, following which he was referred to Rajindra Hospital in Patiala as demanded by relatives of Satnam Singh. Perusal of records at the Civil Hospital revealed that Satnam was brought with a gunshot injury in the forehead and he was unconscious. A large number of residents, including family and friends of the victim, had gathered in front of the police station to get action expedited against the suspects in the case. stronger attention. State’s traditional industrial sectors such as hosiery and garments, bicycle and bicycle parts, auto components and engineering goods, particularly concentrated in Ludhiana, continue to face increasing global competition, rising input costs and infrastructure challenges. Since these sectors have contributed significantly to employment generation and exports, now focus should be on sector-specific support, technology upgrade schemes and export promotion measures to remain competitive. CICU president Upkar Singh Ahuja said labour reforms in the policy were good steps. “Earlier labour used to work overtime but now, they have given permission for 144 hours, which is a good measure”, he said. Vikas Jain, another industrialist, feels that power cost remains one of the biggest challenges for the state industry. Even after announcing a nominal concession, industrial electricity tariffs in the state are relatively high as compared to several states, which impacts manufacturing competitiveness. “Addressing the issue will be crucial for attracting new investments as well as retaining existing industries”, he said. (With inputs from Nikhil Bhardwaj) Minor delivers baby, 2 booked on rape charge Tribune News Service Ludhiana, March 7 In a shocking incident, a 16year-old girl has given birth to a baby. She was allegedly raped by a shopkeeper and his friend. The victim’s mother told the police that her daughter began experiencing back pain on March 5. When her condition worsened, the woman took her to Jain Hospital in Jodhewal Basti, where the doctor prescribed pain medication. As the pain got unbearable later in the evening, the girl gave birth to a baby boy. The girl told her that she continued on page 2 Man sets house ablaze; woman, two daughters escape in New Madhopuri Suspect gets caught in flames, incident captured in CCTV cameras Tribune News Service Ludhiana, March 7 A man who allegedly attempted to burn a woman and her daughters alive by pouring petrol on their house ended up being caught in the flames himself. Showing immense courage, the woman managed to save herself and her two daughters by escaping through the rear door. The incident occurred at midnight in the New Madhopuri area following a minor dispute. The woman and her daughters were asleep when the incident occurred. Fortunately, she woke up to realise the danger, preventing a major tragedy by leading her children to safety through the rear exit. According to information, Kanchan, a resident of New Madhopuri, stated in her police complaint that a man, Ram Shabad, had been harassing her for some time. On March 5, Kanchan’s husband was in their native village in Uttar Pradesh for some passport-related work. During the day, the suspect had come to the house, kicked the main gate and created a ruckus. At that time, Kanchan was at home with her daughter Bhavna. The latter told the suspect that her father was not present at home and asked him to leave. While the suspect left the place after the confrontation, his behaviour suggested he was planning something more sinister. The victim narrated that late at night when she was sleeping in the room with her children, she felt that someone was sprinkling liquid inside the house. Afterwards, smell of petrol filled the air and the room was engulfed in flames. Acting quickly, she, along with her children, escaped through the rear door. She then spotted the suspect, Ram Shabad. The Daresi police on Friday registered a case based on the victim’s statement and launched a manhunt. Notably, the incident was also captured in CCTV cameras. The footage shows a man approaching the house, carrying a bucket. Soon, the suspect was seen running through the street amid fire, having been caught in the flames himself. c m y b Women must step forward as equal partners to shape state’s future: CM Mann was addressing a state-level function to mark Women’s Day Tribune News Service Ludhiana, March 7 Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Saturday gave a strong call to women to step forward as equal partners in shaping the Punjab’s future, asserting that the state could not become a front runner in the country without their participation in governance, economy and politics. While addressing a state-level International Women’s Day function in Ludhiana, the Chief Minister highlighted how the state government was actively dismantling barriers that kept women away from key sectors. He stressed on merit-based recruitment where a majority of the over 63,000 government jobs have gone to women, the opening of firefighting services to them after removing unrealistic conditions and the growing presence of women officials in top administrative positions. Mann also urged young women to enter politics and become active participants in decision-making, stressing that a stronger democracy and a more progressive Punjab would only be possible when women play a central role in shaping public policy and leadership. The Chief Minister said the CM Bhagwant Singh Mann during a state-level Int'l Women’s Day function in Ludhiana. state government had made concerted efforts to empower women across the state by giving them opportunities in governance and administration. He said: “Our government has appointed several women officials as DCs and SSPs. A number of women officials have also been appointed as ADCs. No other government had ever bothered to appoint women to such coveted posts in the past.” The Chief Minister said “Girls have already outnumbered boys in many fields but politics still remains an exception. This field has long been considered the domain of men but the time has come for women to excel here as well.” Paying tributes to women freedom fighters, the Chief Minister cited the example of Durga Bhabhi, a close associate of Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh. He said: “Durga Bhabhi played a major role in the freedom struggle. At a time when Shaheed Bhagat Singh and his colleagues needed financial support, she even sold her ornaments for the national cause. Girls of the state have inspiring role models such as Mai Bhago and Durga Bhabhi. It is high time that they follow their footsteps and serve the nation.” He also announced a historic step for women’s participation in emergency services. “Punjab will be the only state in the country to have women in the firefighting services. Girls aspiring to join the services had met me and explained difficulties they were facing due to certain basic conditions. Taking a sympathetic view, our government relaxed these unrealistic conditions, paving the way for them to join the firefighting services,” he said. Mann also felicitated several women achievers, including girls, who recently cleared the UPSC examinations.