Karnataka   

Karnataka opts for mid-course correction to industrial policy

Bangalore: The Karnataka government has opted for a mid-course correction to the industrial policy with focus on involving landowners (farmers) in industrial development, thus providing a big benefit to small and marginal farmers. The theme of the changes has been termed “Inclusive industrial development.”

Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa, who has suggested changes in the industrial policy, has directed the Industries Department, and, in particular, Minister for Large and Medium Industries Murugesh Nirani and Principal Secretary (Commerce and Industries) V. Umesh, to bring about specific changes in the larger interests of preventing farmers’ suicide. In the view of the Chief Minister, farmers ended their lives largely because of outstanding loans, and many of them owned fragmented lands.

Under the proposed changes, farmers whose lands are acquired will have a role to play in industrial land development. Further, one member of each family will be given employment in the same industrial zone, thus providing the family concerned with a sustainable income. The State industrial policy is valid from 2006 to 2011.

The sources told The Hindu that the changes sought to be brought about by the Chief Minister in the industrial policy served a dual purpose — one is preventing the migration of farmers to urban areas in search of employment after they forfeit their land to industries and the second is enabling them to be part of the industrial development in their place.

Farmers whose lands are acquired for industrial development will be given a part of the developed industrial land (9,600 sft. for every acre of land acquired compared to an earlier policy of 8,500 sft.) on which they could start an industry or lease out the developed land for a good rental. Should they opt for compensation, the amended industrial policy aims to provide farmers the market price for their land and not the government rate (guidance value of the Revenue Department).

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