*US Institute to get 300 acre in Anandgarh
" Upcoming city of Anandgarh has also joined in the race to be investor friendly and to attract hi-tech industries.The idea is to be another Bangalore and give big cousin, Chandigarh, a run in attracting topnotch investment.
The Punjab Government has decided to provide at least 300 acres of land to the Global Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), a US based institute. The decision to allot the land free of cost to the GIST was taken by the project approval board of the Department of Industries and Commerce, Punjab, recently.
The setting up of the GIST is a part of the plan to set up six such institutes throughout the country. Sources in the Punjab Government said that with a view to woo the leading giants in the information technology (IT) industry to the Anandgarh city, the state government was offering incentives to various companies which were in the process of establishing their offices in the area. The Anandgarh Authority in its drive to woo the hi-tech industries was likely to cash on the shortage of space in Chandigarh and its satellite towns.
Sources in the Punjab Government said that in a meeting chaired by the Chief
Minister of Punjab, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, it was unanimously agreed to give
300 acres of land free of cost to the GIST in or around Anandgarh.
Confirming the move, Mr Karan A. Singh, Chief Executive Officer of Anandgarh,
said, "It is under consideration ". Sources point that representatives of the
GIST and the authority would jointly select an appropriate site".
The sources said the Ministry of Industries and Commerce, Punjab, had asked
the New Town Planning and Development Authority, Anandgarh, to earmark area
for the GIST. Sources also point out that since the Anandgarh project is in
its initial stages, the site would be earmarked only after the planning for
the new township is completed.
It is leant that the Government of Karnataka had given 2000 acres of land free of cost to the GIST. Punjab has ambitious plans to promote investments in the knowledge-based industries. Punjab, in order to augment its human resources, is trying to attract service and software industries. Sources point out that the board was unanimous on the point that Punjab Government should fully support the GIST project and offer land for it.
Sources further said that Anandgarh would be a "paradise" for service industries. According to Mr Karan A Singh, the idea was to make. Anandgarh "a pollution free city''.
Sources said the authority was also planning to equip Anandgarh with high-tech medical facilities. Mr Singh said, "We are planning to invite pharmaceutical industries in the field of research".' Sources point out that the pharmaceutical giant Ranbaxy has shown interest in the new township. When asked, Mr Singh said, "It might have evinced interest, but nothing was official as yet".
*By Nishikant Dwivedi CHANDIGARH Nov 20: The Tribune