The Union Territory of Chandigarh is the capital of both states of
Punjab and Haryana. Hence government is the major employer in the UT.
Majority of the population of the city is either serving for one of these three governments (governments of Punjab, Haryana and UT) or have retired from government
services. This is why Chandigarh is sometime referred to as “Pensioner’s
Paradise”. The second source of income for the people is provided by
the industries dealing with various products. The major industries
comprise manufacture of paper, basic chemicals, basic metals and alloys
and machinery. Some other important industries include food products,
metal products, electrical goods, transport equipment and repair
services.
The overall picture is that Chandigarh's economy is
dominated by industries manufacturing food products or providing repair
services, with basic metals and alloys and manufacture of machinery
occupying a second rung. Other two most important industries viz. IT and
Tourism have experienced rapid growth in their respective field to
carry forward economy to a new height. Other sources of income include
cultivation, animal husbandry, fishery and, trade and commerce. Wheat, maize, paddy, vegetables are the major crops of Chandigarh.
Chandigarh Industrial and Tourism Development Corporation Limited
(CITCO) is the agency responsible for creating an atmosphere for rapid
industrial growth in the city. To help small scale entrepreneurs CITCO
disburses grants of seed money/margin money, procures and distributes
iron and steel raw material and IPCL products and constructs industrial
sheds. CITCO also runs a Quality Marking Centre where products of small
scale units are quality-tested.
Chandigarh: An ideal I.T. destination The
vision of Chandigarh Administration is to create a knowledge-based
society through extensive use of Information Technology. The city
provides an ideal stage for the growth of the I.T. culture and optimum
utilisation of the benefits of the I.T. revolution. The following
features make Chandigarh a potential I.T. leader.
- A
planned city like no other – Chandigarh is one of the successes of
modern architectural planning and its planned infrastructure provides
the ideal foundation for the growth of the I.T. Industry.
- A metropolitan city – A city where the quality of life is excellent, and the disadvantages of large metropolitan cities are not present.
- The farthest point from anywhere in Chandigarh is only 9 kms.
- A Pollution free environment exists.
- Geographical
Advantage – The city is very close to the national capital and is well
connected with the rest of the country. Excellent road, rail and air
links exist.
- The Institutional edge – The educational
environment of the city is highly conducive to the growth of the I.T.
Industry. A University, Engineering College, Medical Colleges, Polytechnics and Major Computer Institutes already exist. Computer education is being introduced in schools.
- Absence of octroi and lower sales tax
has been instrumental in promoting commercial activity in the Union
Territory. Chandigarh is emerging as an important distribution centre.