Punjab government created over 70,000 jobs in 4.5 years, attracting investments worth Rs 1.83 lakh crore

August 3, 2026

Punjab has witnessed significant growth in employment generation and investment over the past four-and-a-half years, with the state government providing more than 70,000 government jobs, attracting investments worth ₹1,83,837 crore, and facilitating over 6.36 lakh private-sector employment opportunities, Employment Generation, Skill Development & Training and Industries & Commerce Minister Aman Arora said in the Punjab Legislative Assembly.

Winding up the discussion on an employment-related resolution moved by MLA Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal, Arora said the government’s focus has been on building an ecosystem where businesses can expand and young people can access sustainable employment opportunities.

₹1.83 Lakh Crore Investment Brings Private Jobs

According to the minister, investment inflows into Punjab have generated employment both directly and indirectly, creating more than 6,36,636 private-sector jobs.

Arora cited the example of Japanese steel company AICHI Steel, which increased its proposed investment in Punjab from ₹500 crore to ₹1,100 crore after receiving support and facilitation from the state government.

He said the development demonstrated the importance of creating an investor-friendly environment and simplifying business processes.

Minister Challenges Opposition Over Government Jobs

Responding to allegations from Congress MLA Hardev Singh Laddi Sherowalia that residents of the Shahkot constituency had not received government employment, Arora issued a public challenge.

He offered to visit Shahkot and hold a public gathering where residents could directly state whether they had benefited from government recruitment.

Arora said he was prepared to resign if the allegation was proved correct, while asking the Congress MLA to do the same if the claim was found to be incorrect. The minister said the recruitment process had been based entirely on merit and alleged that appointments were made without bribery or political recommendations.

Skill Development Gets Increased Budgetary Push

The minister also highlighted the government’s efforts to improve the employability of Punjab’s youth through skill development.

He said the state had allocated ₹25 crore to the Skill Development Mission, compared with ₹10 crore earlier, describing it as a significant increase in funding.

More than 22 lakh young people, he said, had been supported through placement camps, counselling and handholding initiatives.

At a recent mega job fair in Sunam, 61 companies participated and nearly 700 youngsters received job offers on the spot, according to the minister.

₹100 Crore Armed Forces Institute Coming Up in Sangrur

Arora further announced the government’s plans for a ₹100-crore Sant Attar Singh Maharaj Armed Forces Preparatory Institute in Sangrur district.

The proposed institution will provide specialised training to young people preparing for officer-level positions in the armed forces. The facility is expected to train around 500 youth every year.

The minister described the institute as a world-class initiative aimed at opening another avenue of career opportunities for Punjab’s young population.

Youth Unemployment Rate Shows Improvement

Citing central government figures, Arora said Punjab’s unemployment rate among people aged 15 to 29 years declined from 19.1% in 2022 to 17% in 2025.

He referred to data from the Periodic Labour Force Survey to argue that the state has recorded improvement in key employment indicators.

The minister said the figures reflected the impact of efforts aimed at strengthening employment opportunities and creating a more favourable environment for businesses.

Sharp Attack on Previous ‘Har Ghar Naukri’ Promise

Taking aim at the previous Congress government, Arora criticised its ‘Har Ghar Naukri’ promise and described it as a failure to deliver meaningful employment opportunities to Punjab’s youth.

He maintained that the present government had provided nearly 70,000 government jobs through what he described as a transparent and merit-based recruitment system.

The minister also rejected the Opposition’s demand for a white paper on employment, saying that the strongest way to assess the government’s performance was to seek feedback directly from the people.