Webinar Link

Meeting No: 2514 004 2721
Password: punjab

Certificate of Participants

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Abstract

Punjab’s economy shows modest growth but faces structural challenges. GSDP rose 6.2% in 2023–24 and is projected at 6.0% in 2024–25, below the national average. Services remain the main driver, while industry grows slowly and agriculture shows uneven recovery. Ecological stress from the wheat–paddy cycle, weak industrial infrastructure, and high fiscal burdens hinder progress. However, rising GST collections indicate improving formal activity, and government initiatives in horticulture, agro-processing, industry, and services offer opportunities for diversification and more sustainable growth.The webinar will examine these challenges and opportunities in depth, assess sector-wise performance, and deliberate on practical pathways for a more sustainable, diversified, and resilient path.

About the Speakers

Kahan Singh Pannu

Kahan Singh Pannu is a retired IAS officer. He also served as the Secretary of Dept of Agriculture before his retirement in August 2020. Presently, he practises farming, and adopts eco-friendly methods in farm cultivation. He has also received the President and Prime Minister awards for his service. He has extensively worked with the Punjab Government since his appointment in 1988 in various capacities including the position of the Chairman of Punjab Pollution Control Board, where he was instrumental in bringing down the crop residue fire incidents by 50% in 2017. He completed his BSc in Agriculture from College of Agriculture PAU Ludhiana in 1981 and his MSc in Entomology in 1984.

Prof. Ranjit Singh Ghuman

Ranjit Singh Ghuman is currently Professor of Eminence (Economics) at Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar. Prior to that he was Nehru Chair Professor at CRRID, Chandigarh and Professor & Head Economics Department at Punjabi University Patiala. He has published extensively on issues having socio-economic bearing. Development economics, rural and agricultural development, emerging water scarcity, international trade, drug menace and economic transformation and human rights are some of his special areas of interest. He has also been on the various academic and administrative committees and councils of various universities and committees and commissions of the Government of Punjab.

Prof. Kesar Singh Bhangoo

Professor Kesar Singh Bhangoo is Professor at the Centre for Economic Change, Department of Economics, Punjabi University (December 2010–present), with specialisations in Industrial Relations and Labour Economics and in Agrarian Relations. His long academic career at Punjabi University began at the Regional Centre, Bathinda, where he served as Lecturer (May 1990–April 1995), Senior Lecturer (May 1995–April 1999), Reader/Associate Professor (May 1999–March 2008) and Professor (April 2008–December 2010) before his current appointment in the Centre for Economic Change. He earned his Ph.D. from the Department of Business Management, Punjabi University, Patiala, with a thesis titled “Industrial Relations in Cotton Textile Industry in Punjab” (April 1990), and is the author of the book Dynamics of Industrial Relations (Deep & Deep, New Delhi, 1995).