Of the many demands by local entrepreneurs, the notification for establishing the Industrial Township Authority in Mysuru is perhaps the most important. It has been pending since the 1990s.
Though the industrial policy of the State government has been described as “forward looking” or “futuristic”, only 50 per cent of the proposals have been implemented, according to stakeholders in the region.
The authority is expected to give a boost to the local manufacturing sector apart from providing better amenities to industrial areas. It will also simplify the procedure for commencement of business operations as a single-window agency will replace the multiplicity of authorities from whom potential entrepreneurs have to seek permission.
General secretary of Mysuru Industries Association Suresh Kumar Jain and president P. Vishwanath pointed out that to start operations in Mysuru, one has to take permission from 36 different departments. “Once the authority is set up, not only will payment of tax be streamlined, but one can expect development of industrial layouts,” said Mr. Jain.
If implemented, the industrial areas of Metagalli, Hootagalli, Belwadi, Hebbal and so on will come out of the purview of local bodies and tax will be paid directly to the authority. This was included in the new industrial policy 2014–19 released a few months ago. But, it has been on paper since many years owing to lack of government directive.
In addition, the Karnataka Municipal Council Act has to be suitably amended to take the notified areas out of the control of local bodies. This is a lengthy legal process but is yet to be initiated.
