Daijiworld Media Network – Sullia (SP)

Sullia, Apr 12: Karnataka Chief Minister (CM), D V Sadananda Gowda, said that the state government has evinced interest in starting a tyre manufacturing company in the taluk, in view of the fact that rubber is the major commercial crop of the region. He said this will ensure added employment to the locals and increased prices for rubber.

He was speaking at the consultative meeting of officials held at Mandekolu gram panchayat hall about the tyre manufacturing unit proposed to be started here by Karnataka State Forest Development Corporation (KFDC) with private participation, on Tuesday April 10.

“As per Sarojini Mahishi report, every factory needs to provide 80 percent of its employment to locals. This will ensure hundreds of jobs for the locals. The revenue department has identified 15 acres of land for the project, while KFDC has earmarked 45 acres. If needed, KFDC is prepared to allot more land. The deputy commissioner of the district should initiate immediate steps to make 60 acres of land available for the unit,” he said.

Principal secretary of forest department, Rajkumar Katti, drew the attention of the CM to the provision that environment pollution clearance is very important for the project, as tyre manufacturing pollutes the environment, the CM asked him to submit all the details to the department of environment, duly promising to discuss the issue with the director of the department. He also asked the Mescom officials to ensure that power from Udupi Power Corporation Ltd’s second unit is supplied here directly.

MP, Nalin Kumar Kateel, MLA, S Angara, KFDC chairman, S N Manmatha, zilla panchayat president, Shylaja Bhat, and others were present. Deputy commissioner, Channappa Gowda, zilla panchayat chief executive officer, Dr Vijay Prakash, and officials of Mescom, KFDC, and KCDC, took part in discussions.