From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore
Bangalore, May 9: Reflecting the views of the representatives of trade and industry as also ordinary citizens fed up the last five years of misrule and misgovernance as also the series of scams and other irregularities during the last five years of BJP rule in Karnataka, two of the leading organizations of trade and industry – ASSOCHAM and FKCA – have warmly welcomed the clear mandate in favour of the Congress party in the State in the assembly elections.
The Associated Chamber of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) has welcomed clear verdict in favour of a single party in the Karnataka Assembly elections and said it was happy augury for the State.
In a statement, ASSOCHAM Southern Regional Council Co-Chairman Jacob Crasta expressed satisfaction at the verdict that would pave way the for formation of a stable government in the State.
Crasta said the people of the State, especially industry, was apprehensive of a split verdict that would have led to delays in formation of the government and would have affected administrative decision making. Hopefully, all that would now be avoided, he said.
Given the clear mandate, it was incumbent upon the Congress party to provide a clean and progressive administration that may help alleviate the State to newer heights in terms of economic growth and industrial expansion, he said.
Citing major challenges before the new government, Crasta said the first priority of the new government should be to restore confidence of investors in the State’s growth story.
Timely decision making and creation of enabling environment for new investors are important to rekindle interest of investors in the State. Though the State still holds attraction for potential investors, it is important that such interest are channelized properly so as to fructify various investment proposals.
Tackling poor power situation would be a major task before the new government. He expressed hope that the new government would take effective steps to overcome the impending power crisis. This, he said, is imperative if state wants to take a lead over others, Crasta said.
He also called upon the new government to frame a definite policy towards land acquisition for industry. In the absence of any clear policy, potential investors may get disillusioned and may lose interest in the State.
Crasta described SMEs are the backbone of the economy which need to be provided with all required support.
Emphasizing upon the need to accelerate infrastructure development, Crasta called for fresh approach in this direction. He suggested adoption of Public-Private-Partnership model for developing new infrastructure projects.
Meanwhile, the Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FKCA) President K Shiva Shanmugham has in a statement said the clear majority in favour of the Congress Party must spur them go ahead with the required reforms, which has been pending for a long time, and execute the infrastructure projects which have suffered due to deficit governance.
The new government must concentrate on tactical measures to improve the growth of Karnataka which has fallen to 6% from 8% and industrial growth which has fallen from second to thirteenth position, he said.
FKCCI supports the new government in all its attempts to kick start the growth engine and reverse the trend which has relegated the State trail behind in the progress path.
It is high time for the Government to strip itself from all the fancy stories they used so far and come to terms with life and growth and serve the common man adhering to the manifesto.
FKCCI complimented all the citizens of Karnataka for having provided a majority in forming a single party which will help in maintaining stability and growth for the future of not only the citizens of Karnataka, but also for the development of trade and industry in the State.