Chandigarh: In a move that will help create nearly 2400 direct jobs while boosting the state’s GDP by Rs 6500 crore, the Punjab Cabinet has given the go-ahead for inviting global tenders to establish a world-class Technology University at SAS Nagar (Mohali).

The cabinet approval came at a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh here on Wednesday afternoon.

An official spokesperson disclosed after the meeting that the proposed university, which will focus on skill development in IT/IT enabled services, biotechnology and related biosciences, material sciences and nanotechnology, will help also push up tax revenues by Rs.600 crore.

Proposals would be called from the open market by providing wide publicity where the applicants may either pay as per IT Policy-2013 or as per the proposal received from the Reimagining Higher Education Foundation. Based on the proposals received from the Foundation, an area of 50 acres earmarked for IT/ITES, etc may be allocated for setting up the university.

The eligibility criteria for allocation of plots in IT City, SAS Nagar for sizes varying between 3 and 25 acres has been relaxed to allow non-CMM-SEI Level 5 certification companies to set up business. Further, companies wishing to exit IT City have been allowed to surrender plots by deducting 10% of paid up amount.

The Council of Ministers (CoMs) has also given its assent to the establishment of district bureaus of employment and enterprise in all district of the state as a step towards implementing the government’s `Ghar Ghar Rozgar’ scheme.

These bureaus will function as a platform to facilitate all kinds of employment opportunities for the youth, including overseas employment, skill training, self-employment, enterprise and entrepreneurship development, etc. They will also serve to co-ordinate with all the departments for the successful implementation of relevant central and state government schemes and regularly monitor the same.