The Hindu : Karnataka News : Pact on creating `Karnataka brand'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Jan 07, 2005

Karnataka

Karnataka

Pact on creating `Karnataka brand'

By Our Staff Reporter

BANGALORE, JAN. 6. With the objective of giving a new thrust to economic development and creating a "Karnataka brand" at the international level, the State Government today entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Bangalore Chamber of Industry and Commerce (BCIC) for three years here.

The MoU, signed by the Principal Secretary, Department of Commerce and Industries, N. Gokulram, and the president of the BCIC (earlier Greater Mysore Chamber of Industry), S. Chandrashekhar, envisages initiatives in the fields of industry, education and economically viable sectors in both urban and rural areas.

It highlights the promotion of small- and medium-scale enterprises through relevant policy prescriptions; creation of quality and dependable infrastructure on a par with global standards; "radical" reformation of labour laws; measures to develop backward districts for removing "regional and economic imbalances"; upgrading of polytechnics, tool rooms, and vocational training institutes; and adoption of industrial training institutes by industry with the responsibility to convert them into " centres of excellence."

`Govt., pro-industry'

Speaking on the occasion, the Deputy Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah, said the policies and programmes of the coalition Government are in favour of industry. It believes in mobilising investment and helping in employment generation. Without such measures, it is impossible to eradicate poverty. In the larger interest of imparting social justice, there is an urgent need to find a permanent solution to the peculiar social and economic problems of the country, he added.

`A media creation'

Referring to the reported internal problems and confusion in the Government over policy matters, he said: " Such reports are only the creation of the media. The Government is both pro-farmer and pro-industry. It is interested in the parallel growth of both the sectors." It is wrong to think or interpret that the Government is still steeped in conservatism.

The State is known for its progressive outlook both on ideological and pragmatic planes. But for its hard effort, commitment and outlook, the international airport project coming up at Devanahalli and the enforcement of value added tax would have not been possible. The work on the airport will commence in the last week of January or first week of February. The much discussed VAT will come into force from April 1.

Employment

The Minister for Industries and Infrastructure, P.G.R. Sindhia, said that the State High-level Committee has cleared 19 mega projects with an investment of Rs. 27,000 crores, which can provide employment for 47,000 people. The single window system has cleared 115 medium and large industrial units with an investment of Rs. 2,591 crores, which has the potential to generate 71,000 jobs. The Government has given due importance to industrial growth in the State within seven months and attracted investments of Rs. 30,000 crores, he added.

The Chief Minister, N. Dharam Singh, could not attend the function as he was in Delhi.

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