In a bid to ensure inclusive growth and increase employment opportunities, the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (Assocham) will develop 15 business clusters in different parts of Punjab, an official said on Sunday.
"Currently, 20 such clusters are operational in Punjab which are providing employment to lakhs of people here," Assocham secretary general D.S. Rawat said here.
"These proposed clusters will be established at a budget of around Rs.500 crore and will provide direct or indirect employment to nearly 5 lakh people of Punjab," he said.
"Our talks are on with Punjab government to set up these business clusters. We have completed all formalities from our side and now it all depends up on the state government that how early these clusters will start working," he added.
Rawat said India had around 6,500 business clusters – businesses and suppliers grouped together – out of which 450 were recognised by the state governments.
"India is an agriculture-centric nation where 75 per cent people are dependent on agriculture. Our main focus is to shift the attention of people from agriculture to industries and create a congenial environment for industrial growth," Rawat added.