Bhagwant Mann Government Aims to Elevate Mohali to Tier-1 IT Hub with Focus on Governance, Academia, and Infrastructure: Seema Bansal
Robust Fiscal and Non-Fiscal Incentives Unveiled to Accelerate Global Capability Centres and Digital Growth
Chandigarh/SAS Nagar, March 15
The Progressive Punjab Investors’ Summit 2026 witnessed a huge response from investors during the highly anticipated IT and ITeS session. Based on the theme ‘Punjab Offer: Promoting GCCs with speed, clarity, and after care’, the event highlighted the state’s growing appeal as a premier destination for technological investment and digital innovation.
Addressing the jam-packed session, Vice Chairperson of the Punjab Development Commission (PDC), Seema Bansal, said that the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Government, is resolutely aiming to develop SAS Nagar (Mohali) as a Tier 1 town in the IT sector. She articulated that the state government is intensely focusing on the foundational pillars of Governance, Academia, and Infrastructure to achieve this vision.
Furthermore, she said that a number of manufacturing industries in the state have already successfully started integrating AI technologies into their production processes.
Highlighting the comprehensive support framework, Additional Chief Secretary, Information Technology, Dhirendra Kumar Tiwari, detailed the robust incentives being provided by the Punjab Government to boost the IT industry under the Industrial & Business Development Policy 2026. He outlined key fiscal benefits for IT and ITeS units, including a 75 percent net SGST reimbursement for 10 to 15 years and an employment generation subsidy of Rs. 5000 per employee per month for five years. “Investors can also avail themselves of a capital subsidy of up to 20 percent of Fixed Capital Investment, capped at Rs. 10 Crore, alongside a 100 percent exemption on electricity duty for 10 to 15 years”, he added.
For Global Capability Centres, ACS Tiwari infor.ed that the state is offering an enhanced employment generation subsidy of Rs 7500 per employee per month for five years for the first 10 units. He also highlighted a rental subsidy of Rs 7 per square foot for standard IT units and Rs 10 per square foot for GCCs, applicable for a minimum of 100 seats over five years. “Data centres are further incentivized with a 100 percent exemption on stamp duty and dual power grid availability provided on demand”, said Tiwari.
Complementing these financial benefits, D. K. Tiwari emphasised non-fiscal advantages such as time-bound clearances within 5 to 45 working days, exemption from the Punjab Apartment and Property Regulation Act (PAPRA) 1995 for all IT parks, relaxed setbacks, and unlimited Floor Area Ratio allowed on roads with a Right of Way of 45 meters.
Meanwhile, a distinguished panel of experts, including Dr. Bimal Deep Singh, Client Solution Head – Large Deals at Infosys; Manipal Dhariwal, CEO of Netsmartz; Rajwinder Singh Boparai, Senior Regional President, US Logistics Private Limited; and Baljit Singh, Chairman of Guru Nanak Dev Global University (GNDGU) based in Flower Mound, Texas, shared their insights on the immense opportunities for Punjab. They unanimously agreed that Mohali is uniquely positioned to excel in the IT sector due to the availability of quality human resources from within the state and neighboring regions, the highly conducive environment of the Tricity area, and significantly lower operational costs compared to other major cities. The experts also noted the strong desire among IT-expert Punjabis to return to their native land, further enriching the local talent pool. The panelists shared their expert opinions on the various GCC models currently available in the market and explored the expansive scope and future potential of Artificial Intelligence in the region. The session, moderated by Chandan Singh, Director at KPMG, successfully concluded with an interactive open house discussion and the facilitation of the panelists.
