In a major development, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Tuesday met with industrialists from Jalandhar in Chandigarh to discuss several issues related to industry and trade. The biggest demand of the industrialists was to reopen the Shambhu border. Representatives of Jalandhar's business organizations told the Chief Minister that the Shambhu border has been blocked by farmer organizations due to their demands.
They requested the Punjab government to act as a bridge between the Center and the farmer organizations and facilitate the reopening of the Shambhu border. Furthermore, the Northern Chamber of Small and Medium Industries and the Jalandhar Industrial Focal Point Extension Association submitted a memorandum.
During this meeting, Gursharan Singh, the convener of the Joint Action Committee of Trade and Industry in Jalandhar, also raised issues related to industry and trade with Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann.
Narendra Singh Sagu, an official of the Chamber and head of the organization, said that Punjab has suffered a loss of about Rs 1 lakh crore due to the blockade of the Shambhu border. Sharad Agarwal, the head of the Chamber, said that the government's revenue from industries in Jalandhar and other districts will also increase. Leaders Deepak Bali, Nitin Kapoor, Tushar Jain, and Raju Virk were also present during the meeting.
For those who are unaware, the Haryana-Punjab interstate Shambhu border on National Highway-44 has been closed since February 10, 2024. On February 13, the farmers called for a 'Delhi March', however, the tight barricading and actions by the security forces led to clashes, prompting the indefinite closure of the Shambhu border.