HUBLI: Revenue Minister Jagadish Shettar, who is also district in-charge Minister, has said that along with promoting the Hubli IT Park, the State Government is contemplating giving land to group of entrepreneurs for developing an "IT City" near the twin cities.

Speaking at a meet-the-press programme organised by the Dharwad District Working Journalists' Association here on Wednesday, Mr. Shettar said several non-resident Indians havd evinced interest in investing in Hubli.

On the IT Investors' Meet scheduled to be held in Hubli on May 20, Mr. Shettar said the USP of Hubli was the availability of land at low cost compared with cities such as Bangalore, Mangalore and Mysore. There was around 400 acres of land available around the twin cities, which would be highlighted during the meet, he said.

The Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board had acquired land at Mummigatti, Rayapur and Kelageri. During the meet, the delegates would be taken to these places. It would be left to the entrepreneurs to chalk out their plans for "IT City" if they were willing. Otherwise, based on the requirement of each company, land would be given to them, Mr. Shettar said.

On whether the State Government would be giving land at concessional price, he said no decision had been taken over it.

Encroachments

Mr. Shettar said of the 4,000 acres of government land around Bangalore encroached by various people, records of 2,000 acres of land had been set right. Of it, the Government had taken possession of around 500 acres of land, he said.

Regarding bringing amendment to the Land Reforms Act, he said the Government was contemplating booking criminal cases against those who encroached on government land and also the officials who connived with them. A proposal in this regard had been sent to the Law Department, which is being looked into, he said.

On his earlier statement on bringing changes in the working style of the Revenue Department, the Minister said the process had begun and it would take some time to show results.

Mr. Shettar alleged that it was because of the fault of the previous Chief Minister N. Dharam Singh, that Hubli-Dharwad lost the chance to be included in the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission.

He said the present coalition Government would continue its efforts get the twin cities included under the scheme. The infrastructure projects of the twin cities would be given sufficient funds, Mr. Shettar added.

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