Industrialists on Monday told Mayor B.S. Sathyanarayana that uncleared garbage across the city is resulting in reduced work orders from abroad. They claim that they are unable to invite foreign clients to their factories in the city.
The industrialists conveyed their concerns to the Mayor during an interaction at the Karnataka Small Scale Industries Association (KASSIA).
Former president of Peenya Industries Association K.B. Arasappa said: “Work orders are coming down as foreign clients believe that the situation in the factory premises could be the same as it is outside.”
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H.N. Ramkrishna, secretary of Bangalore North Small Scale Industries Association, said that it was difficult to take clients to their factories, or even around the city, because of the garbage. “The problem in most industrial areas is that they are doubling up as residential areas. Garbage is dumped in front of industries by residents living nearby after factories down shutters for the day,” he alleged.
A representative of Devasandra industrial area concurred.
Mr. Sathyanarayana promised to initiate an intensive cleaning programme in industrial areas to clear garbage once in a week.
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Responding to a memorandum submitted by KASSIA highlighting their problems, the Mayor promised to set up a committee comprising officials, elected members and representatives of various industries to address the grievances. He said that this committee will meet once a fortnight.
No relief on licence
However, he expressed his inability to help industrialists with their demand for abolition of trade licences. He suggested that they approach the BBMP’s taxation and finance committee and the State government.
Besides the problems with trade licence and garbage, KASSIA has sought reduction of property tax, street lighting in industrial areas and better roads.