From Our Special Correspondent

Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Oct 20: The film industry in Karnataka finally marched towards realising its long-standing demand for having a world class Film City in the State with the Siddaramaiah Cabinet approving a proposal for granting 110 acres of land near Nanjangud in Mysuru district.

The Karnataka Chalanachitra Academy (KCA), which has been spearheading the project, has also been given five-year period for payment of the cost of acquiring the land.

The land would be granted on a 30 year lease and the request of KCA to defer the payment of land cost for 5 years has been accepted to encourage growth of film industry in the State.

KCA would implement the project with private sector participation, Law and Parliamentary Affairs minister TB Jayachandra said briefing the reporters on the cabinet decisions.

The film city project was first proposed way back in 1978 and received the support the Janata Party government headed by Ramakrishna Hegde when 365 acres of land near Hesaraghatta in Bengaluru was allocated for the project.

However, the project failed make any progress and the Siddaramaiah government has now approved the new proposal to implement the project in Mysuru district with an initial allocation of 110 acres of land.

The State Cabinet also approved setting up of Banavasi Development Authority for drawing up and implementing plans for development of Banavasi in Uttara Kannada district.

Jayachandra said the State Cabinet has also cleared the proposal for construction of four more bungalows for High Court judges at the Nyaya Grama layout near Hebbal in the city.

The cost of each of the bungalow would be about Rs 2 to 2.50 crore, he said.

It also approved the appointment of GH Puttahalagaiah, a retired KAS officer, as the Chief Executive Officer of Roerich and Devikarani Roerich Estate Board, Jayachandra said.