The State high-level clearance committee chaired by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, at its meeting on Wednesday, approved three projects with an investment of Rs. 838.7 crore.
The projects were the new proposals of SPR Distilleries with an investment of Rs. 385 crore; Sri Srinivasa Education Charitable Trust (Rs. 246.7 crore); and the International Aerospace Manufacturing Pvt. Ltd. (Rs. 207 crore). Together, they are expected to generate employment opportunities for 2,100 people.
The meeting, which was the 35th of the committee, also gave its nod to amendments such as extension of time, increase in investment, change of location, increase in power requirement and enhancement of capacity to 14 projects that were approved in earlier meetings.
Announcing this, Mr. Siddaramaiah said the new industrial policy, seeking to make the State a preferred destination through inclusive, sustainable and balanced growth, was to be announced soon.
In 2013–14 the State government, which he said was taking efforts to ease the environment for doing business, approved 251 projects entailing an investment of Rs. 42,117.19 crore. In terms of employment, these projects would provide opportunities for over 1.7 lakh people.
While the high-level committee approves projects over Rs. 100 crore investment, a single window clearance committee, headed by the Chief Secretary, has got powers to clear projects in which the investments are between Rs.15 crore and Rs.100 crore.
Mr. Siddaramaiah said the Industry Facilitation Act had been amended and powers decentralised to approve projects at the district level single window meeting. The single window, headed by Deputy Commissioner, has powers to approve projects whose cost is up to Rs.15 crore. The Chief Minister also listed various measures initiated by the State government, including launch of the E-Udyami portal, to facilitate online filing of applications for single window clearance and the roadshow conducted at Coimbatore as part of Chamarajanagar Investors meet in January.
Over 300 investors had evinced interest to invest Rs. 12,000 crore at Chamarajanagar in various sectors. An area of 1,600 acres being developed by the Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board in the district would be ready for allotment by December. Compensation for the land owners had been fixed.
