Principal Secretary to Department of Commerce and Industry M.N. Vidyashankar said in an initiative to make the functioning of the KIADB (Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board) more transparent, a new portal is being launched in 15 days.
Participating in a panel discussion on ‘Ignite Hubli’ at the TiECon-2013, organised by the Hubli chapter of The Indus Entrepreneurs (TiE), Mr. Vidyashankar said once the portal is launched, the entrepreneurs will be able to search for suitable land for their industries in any of the 141 industrial estates developed by the KIADB. “The portal will also help in addressing several other problems related to industries,” he said.
Mr. Vidyashankar also announced that the deputy commissioners of districts would be able to clear projects with an investment of up to Rs. 15 crore in a fortnight. “At present, they can clear projects only up to Rs. 3 crore,” he said. He clarified that the State government was doing everything to urge the setting up of industries in north Karnataka.
ADVERTISEMENT
Mr. Vidyashankar said Toyota would be investing Rs. 10,000 crore for setting up its ‘Engine Making Plant’ at Kittur in Belgaum district and the government would be handing over the land to the company shortly. “Once that comes up, the company will supply engines not only across India but throughout the world,” he said.
To a query on problems being faced by entrepreneurs, Dharwad Deputy Commissioner Sameer Shukla said lack of communication could be the reason for the delay in addressing problems. He asked entrepreneurs to approach him with their problems. Responding to another query, Mr. Joshi said a task force would be constituted to push forward the development of Hubli-Dharwad, provided the local entrepreneurs or organisations come up with a successful model for the same.