Bangalore: Karnataka is in the ninth position in terms of industrial growth, S. Philip Lewis, president of Confederation of Industries and Traders' Associations of Karnataka, told presspersons here on Tuesday.

He said that there is lack of coordination between the Department of Industries, Directorate of Industries and the corporations concerned. "It is imperative for the Government to restructure the industries department if Karnataka has to come on top," he said.

Mr. Lewis said there is no coordination between the department and the boards. "Over 40 per cent of the industries are sick. If the state of affairs continues, it will be very difficult for industries to develop," he said.

Even when industrialists make representations to the department on subjects such as environmental pollution, electricity and labour issues, all the department does is forward it to the corporations concerned and the chances of getting relief are remote, he said.

One of the reasons for the under-development is the 50 per cent reduction in the staff of the directorate in all the districts.

"The recommendations of the Ramaswamy Committee have been implemented only in the Directorate of Commerce and Industry and in pursuance of these recommendations, 800 of 1,800 employees have been retrenched or given retirement," Mr. Lewis said.

The confederation urged the Government to revive taluk-level industry centres. It also said that the Karnataka Udyog Mitra is coordinating the activities of the department.

"All the industries concerned should be brought under the control of a single managing director or commissioner in the department, which will result in substantial benefit for the Government by saving crores of rupees, he said.

"We are ready to cooperate with the Government in this regard. We will soon go in a delegation to meet Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, Deputy Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa and Ministers concerned and discuss these issues with them," Mr. Lewis said.

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