From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network
Bengaluru, June 27: Karnataka’s Large and Medium Industries Minister Jagadish Shettar said a proposal for establishing industrial areas in urban centres the State, including Bengaluru City, were under the consideration of the State Government.
A proposal for establishing industrial areas or townships in urban areas has already been discussed with the State’s Urban Development Minister and the Principal Secretary, he said and promised to take up the issue before the State Cabinet for approval soon.
He was speaking at the launch of COVID–19 Udyog Sahayavani arranged by KASSIA in Bengaluru on Saturday.
The Minister said he has instructed the Principal Secretary of the Industries Department to prepare a report on industrial townships in the state. The proposal after approval by the Urban Development Department will be bought before the Cabinet soon," he said.
Shettar said small and medium industries play an important role in the economic development of the country and the state.
“These institutions have the spirit of recovering our economy from the challenges posed by the Corona crisis even as the sector is being encouraged by the central government”, he said.
Shettar said the government is working under the leadership of Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa to make the state an industrial friendly state. “The state government is already working towards simplifying various regulations that have posed hurdles in the acquisition of land for setting up of industries and making the state an industry-friendly state” he said.
The minister said approval has already been sought to amend the 2002 Karnataka Industrial Facility Act in the last Cabinet meeting. This Act will provide for the commencement of the establishment of industries only with the approval of the Industrial Department and the Pollution Control Board.
This will enable getting of all the necessary permits for three years before commercial production begins. The amendment will be implemented soon by an ordinance, he said.
The Minister said he has directed the officials to come up with a new scientific policy to fix the rate for land acquired for industries.
The new Industrial policy is ready and is awaiting the approval of the Finance Department. The new policy will lay emphasis on development of industries in the second and third tier cities of the State, he explained.
KASSIA President R Raju, Vice President KB Arasappa, Association members from various parts of the state and Ratna Prabha, Chairperson of Karnataka Skills Development Corporation participated in the discussion.