Industrialists from Peenya Industrial Area took out a silent rally to highlight long-pending issues, here on Monday. Walking in a long file, they held placards demanding abolition of trade licences, reduction in property tax, proper disposal of solid waste and uninterrupted power supply among others.
S. Balasubramanyam, president of Peenya Industries Association (PIA), told The Hindu that the industries in this area, plagued by civic problems, pay for 34 licences, some of which were not conducive to growth.
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“We want the abolition of trade licence issued by the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP). As we are manufacturers and not traders, trade licence is an anomaly. But we're being harassed by BBMP officials who threaten to disconnect power supply,” alleged PIA secretary Venkatesh D.T.
Small scale industries are creaking under the economic slowdown. The recent tariff hike by Bangalore Electricity Supply Company (BESCOM) has burdened them further. “The industries agreed to BESCOM's request to follow the staggered holiday system on the condition that the area would get uninterrupted, quality supply. However, power supply continues to be disrupted,” he said.
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Mr. Balasubramanyam said that the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) had failed to not only provide potable water but also create proper drainage system. “The underground drainage lines are damaged and sewage overflows on to the roads, posing a health hazard to people residing and working here,” he said.
Creation of the Peenya Industrial Township Authority (PITA), the protesters pointed out, could help solve their problems. They complained about the delay in forming and allotting industrial plots in the proposed Greater Peenya Industrial Estate.
“The industries can address infrastructure inadequacies themselves, without depending on any civic utility, if PITA is formed. Though the Government had earlier stated that it would, it has been dodging the issue,” Mr. Balasubramanyam said.
The protesters, who faxed a memorandum to the Chief Minister's Office, said that they would meet State BJP president K.S. Eshwarappa on Wednesday.