Punjab gets a state-wide 'PACT' association

A much-awaited move to form the state-wide Punjab IT association has finally been executed. Almost all major Punjab IT dealers have jointly come forward and established an association, named Punjab Association of Computer Traders (PACT).
In a meeting hosted by Jalandhar Computer Dealers Association (JCDA) in Jalandhar on October 8, the presidents and representatives of all the 10 associations of Punjab participated and formed PACT.

PACT is an umbrella body of 10 Punjab associations including Association of Computer Entrepreneurs (ACE) Ludhiana; Amritsar Computer Traders Association (ACTA); Jalandhar Computer Dealers Association (JCDA); Hoshiarpur Computer Dealers Association (HCDA); Nawanshahar Computer Dealers Association (NCDA); Bhatinda Computers Professional Association (BCPA); Computer Hardware Association Sangrur (CHA); Patiala Computer Dealers Association; Moga Computer Dealers Association and Chandigarh Computer Association (CCA).

At the meet, the association members had also selected and appointed the governing body for PACT. The new team will be headed by all the presidents of the Punjab associations. As per the new team Gurpreet Singh Sunny, president of ACE Ludhiana, will be the president of PACT. The post of senior VP will be headed by Sanjeev Walia of Chandigarh Association; Inder Mohan Bhasker, president of Jalandhar association will be taking over the charge of VP. For the post of general secretary Sanjay Gupta of Amritsar association has been chosen. There will be two joint secretaries Prem Saini (Hoshiarpur) and Rahul Garg (Sangrur). The treasurer is Varinder Bansal (Bathinda). The team, will also have a post of PRO and media advisory.

According to Puneet Dhir, general secretary, JCDA, "The body has been formed to address the common issues of computer dealers across Punjab like regular thefts at computer showrooms to a single platform and bring unity among all the trading associations and put collective efforts for achieving common goals."

In this meeting, a resolution was passed to boycott Microsoft products across Punjab, where no dealer will buy Microsoft products in entire Punjab. This decision has been taken in protest of registration of raid cases by Microsoft against the dealers.

"We will be meeting every month to further fine tune the association and its function. Soon, we will be getting the association registered in Ludhiana. The main objective of PACT is to address the common issues related to the Punjab IT traders and bring it to the notice of local administration and government," added Dhir.

Speaking on the formation of PACT, Prem Saini, president, HCDA and join secretary PACT said, "All the members and dignitaries of their respective associations deserve great appreciation. The way we all have started working for the common goal, it seems that the day is not far, when we will be in a position to give our trade a totally new direction."

Each association had contributed Rs 5,000 for the initial working capital of PACT. Meanwhile, the role of local IT association will continue to be the same. PACT will also strengthen the role of the local IT association and encourage more IT association to be part of PACT.