BELGAUM: The District Industries Centre has taken steps to set up a Special Economic Zone in the city, Minister for Horticulture and district in-charge Shashikant A. Naik has said.

He was addressing a gathering after unfurling the National Flag at the Independence Day celebrations here on Tuesday. Freedom fighters, sportspersons, elected representatives and senior officials were present.

He said the centre had requested the Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board to sanction 250 acres of land near the city to set up the proposed SEZ. With an SEZ in the region, industrial progress would scale new heights and create jobs.

The Minister, who listed various development and welfare measures initiated by the Janata Dal (Secular)-Bharatiya Janata Party coalition Government said special emphasis had been laid on development of horticulture activities in the State. Horticulture accounted for 40% of the total agricultural activities in the State.

Stating that the Government had formulated schemes to promote horticulture, he said 14 districts, including Belgaum had been selected for implementation of the National Horticulture Mission.

Under the scheme, 11 crops crops had been taken up.

The centre had released Rs. 55 crore since the scheme came into force in 2005-06. Farmers and educated youth should come forward to take advantage of the opportunities in horticulture activities.

The State Government had earmarked Rs.100 lakh for each district not selected for implementation of NHM.

It had plans to promote tender coconut water- based products and boost grape production in the State.

The Government had decided to appoint Horticulture experts on a contract basis to guide farmers, he added.

Kalsa-Bandur nala

Mr. Shashikant said the Government was committed to implementing the proposed Kalsa-Bandur nala diversion schemes. The work would start before October 2.

He said the Government had decided to celebrate Vishwa Kannada Sammelan in Belgaum in a grand manner.

He appealed to people to join hands with the Government to make the event a success.

The Government had sanctioned Rs.100 more than the annual allocations for the Belgaum Zilla Panchayat towards expeditious implementation development programmes in rural areas of the district, he added.

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