Karnataka plans to develop helipads in industrial areas

If Mysore Industries Association (MIA) Secretary Suresh Kumar Jain is to believed, Small Industries Minister Sathish Jarakiholi had on Sunday assured in Mysuru to build helipads in the industrial areas in the state.

The move is likely to help industrialists and boost the sector in the industrial areas.

According to Jain, the assurance was given to MIA in response to a memorandum submitted to him when he presided over a progress review meeting at the government guest house here.

Though a survey of sick industries was planned, the minister said this, however, was hanging in the balance due to lack of sufficient staff. It could be taken up with the help of non-governmental organisations. He assured divisional-level industrial adalats would be conducted next month.

Jain said the minister warned the officials against permitting the setting up factories on government lands. He suggested to them to acquire private lands for the purpose and was not supportive of cattle grazing areas being acquired for industrial purposes.

The representation, presented by Jain and Jayachandra Urs, President, Mysore District Micro Small & Medium Enterprises Association, sought to expedite the formation of Mysore Industrial Township Authority and allocation of Rs 3 crore grant for establishing Mysore Export Centre by MIA for which the Centre has already sanctioned the amount under ASIDE scheme.

MIA also urged the minister to release Rs 172 crore pending subsidy for 20,400 small-scale industries (SSIs) in the state, set in motion the Industry Facilitation Council that has been constituted under the chairmanship of the regional commissioner for the recovery of delayed payments of SSIs by large industries and PSUs, install solar street lights in industrial areas, organise Kaigarika Adalats at Mysuru for speedy redressal of industry grievances, bring all the functions of the Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board (KIADB) and the Karnataka State Small Industries Development Corporation (KSSIDC), including allotments, issue of possession certificates and title deeds, under SAKALA and reserve land in all industrial areas for processing and for disposal of solid industrial wastes.

Jarakiholi assured the delegation that all the demands would be addressed in a phased manner by convening a state-level meeting shortly.