Ruling Congress MLA from Mangaluru South and former bureaucrat J.R. Lobo on Tuesday took everyone at the ‘Invest Dakshina Kannada’ meet by surprise when he lambasted the government for not creating an ‘investor-friendly’ environment in Dakshina Kannada despite the district having many advantages.
“Existing industries in the district are bogged down by several problems and those in Bengaluru [the government] do not have patience to hear the grievances. Everyone is immersed in one’s problems,” he said at the inauguration of the meet.
The government has to discharge its duties with an open mind. Let it provide water, road and power; investors would look after the rest, he said. At the same time, the government should also ensure prevalence of rule of law. Let it also lure some big IT firms to the region, the rest would follow, Mr. Lobo demanded.
He said an IT park has been formed at Mudipu, off Mangaluru. However, not many companies have evinced interest to open their shops because the roads are not good. There are no developmental activities in the Coastal Regulatory Zone, thus preventing tourism promotion. When some industries intend to enter, environmentalists make a hue and cry. The ship building industry is in doldrums; Bharati Ship Yard once employing 500 graduate engineers is on the verge of closure. No one hears their grievances, Mr. Lobo lamented.
Social harmony
Inaugurating the meet, district in-charge Minister B. Ramanath Rai urged people to provide a conducive environment to attract investment by maintaining social harmony. The district has abundant talent and manpower which has to be harnessed properly, he said.
At the same time, he said politicians should not become businessmen and businessmen should not enter politics. Such a situation would be conducive to entrepreneurship growth, he said.
In all, there are investment proposals worth Rs. 11,946 crore in the district; with the lion’s share being from MRPL which intends to set up a LNG Terminal at New Mangalore Port, upgrade the refining to Bharat IV standards and enhance production capacity. Mangaluru North MLA B.A. Mohiuddin Bava, Zilla Panchayat President Asha Thimmappa Gowda, Mayor Jacinta Vijaya Alfred, district in-charge Secretary Bharat Lal Meena and others were present.
