The Punjab Government had received investment proposals worth Rs 60,276 crore in the last fiscal, the highest ever in a year, claimed Punjab Industries and investment Promotion Minister Sanjeev Arora.Talking to the The Tribune here today, Arora said even when HPCL-Mittal Energy refinery was commissioned in Bathinda in March 2012, the total investment in 2011-12 was lower than the total investment proposals received in 2025-26, which incidentally also includes expansion of the refinery.“The investment proposals were received with the potential to generate employment for over 1.35 lakh persons, reflecting a remarkable 115 per cent increase over the previous year,” he said.Arora said the strong investment momentum was further catalysed by the Progressive Punjab Investors’ Summit 2026, which played a pivotal role in showcasing Punjab’s industrial strengths and policy reforms.The summit has contributed significantly to the current investment pipeline, with the state cumulatively attracting over Rs 1.60 lakh crore of investments during the present government’s tenure, marking a new phase of industrial resurgence.“Major investments during the year include projects by leading companies such as HMEL, Sael Solar, IOL Chemicals, Vardhman Special Steels, Cremica, Nahar, Trident and Happy Forgings, among others, indicating strong industry trust in Punjab’s industrial ecosystem,” he said.The Industries Minister said in 2025-26, his party has achieved yet another feat to woo industry by disbursing Rs 500 crore to eligible industrial units under various state industrial policies. “This large-scale disbursement reinforces investor confidence and demonstrates the state’s clear shift from policy intent to on-ground execution. The incentives have been disbursed across state industrial policies, and other sector-specific benefits. These have supported a wide spectrum of industries, including manufacturing, food processing, textiles, IT/ITeS, steel, auto, agro-based sectors, etc. ensuring inclusive and broad-based industrial growth,” he added.Arora said the timely disbursement of incentives remained a cornerstone of the state’s industrial strategy. It ensures that investors not only receive approvals efficiently through the FastTrack Punjab Portal, but also realize the promised financial benefits without delays.