The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Centre’s assistance sought for upgrading infrastructure

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Monday, Sep 10, 2007
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Centre’s assistance sought for upgrading infrastructure

Special Correspondent

‘Matching grant will help provide basic facilities in industrial estates’

— Photo: Sampath Kumar G.P.

Eye catching: Union Minister of State for Labour and Employment Oscar Fernandes looking at the handicraft items on his arrival for an interaction organised by Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Institute in Bangalore on Sunday.

BANGALORE: The State has urged the Union Government to provide a matching grant of Rs. 500 crore for upgrading infrastructure in industrial estates across the State.

Speaking at an interaction organised by Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Development Institute here on Sunday, Rajkumar Khatri, Commissioner for Industrial Development and Director of Industries and Commerce, said the State Government had announced an Industrial Policy (2006-11) and set up an Infrastructure Fund of Rs. 500 crore for development of infrastructure in industrial estates. A sum of Rs. 100 crore would be spent each year on upgrading infrastructure.

Mr. Khatri requested Union Minister of State for Labour and Employment Oscar Fernandes and Additional Secretary and Finance Adviser, Ministry for Industries, N. Gokul Ram, to provide the matching grant to the State every year, which would enable the Industries Department to provide basic facilities sought by entrepreneurs in industrial estates in Bangalore city and other two-tier cities.

He also made an appeal to the Centre to clear the Government’s proposals to set up an auto cluster in Hubli and food cluster in Bagalkot.

Mr. Fernandes, who was the chief guest, said the country was facing severe shortage of technical personnel, and the Centre had decided to upgrade 500 industrial training institutes (ITIs) on a public-private partnership.

Any entrepreneur could come forward to run the government ITI and the entrepreneur would get Rs. 2.5 crore for upgrading the facilities at the institute. The skilled personnel constituted just 5 per cent of the country’s population, he said.

Mr. Gokul Ram said the Centre had set aside Rs. 1,037 crore for assisting micro, small and medium enterprises.

The Ministry would take steps soon to clear the proposals submitted by the State Government, he said.

S.S. Dhillon, Director, MSME Development Institute, Bangalore, welcomed and explained various schemes formulated by the institute for entrepreneurs.

Karnataka Small Scale Industries Association (KASSIA) president, M.C.R. Shetty, submitted a memorandum to Chandrapal, Secretary, MSME.Presidents of various industrial organisations were present.

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