Half of property tax to be used for infra, assures Dharwad minister

Assuages industrialists' feeling about govt indifference to their problems

Dharwad District In-charge Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao has promised industrialists that the state government would be urged to utilise 50 per cent of the property tax paid by them on infrastructure development in the industrial areas.

Chairing a meeting of industrialists from Tarihal, Gokul and Belur Industrial Areas at the deputy commissioner's office in Dharwad, the minister stated that the government did not hold any grudge against the industrialists and was solving their burning problems.

The industrialists had given a representation to the government seeking a remedy to their problems and had alleged that the government had turned a deaf ear to their pleas. The minister tried to assuage their feelings by promising them that the government's top priority was to equip the industrial areas suffering from poor infrastructure with all the necessary facilities.

All the issues, including the slashing of the taxes raised by the industrialists would be taken up during a high-level industry department meeting to be held in Hubballi shortly, he said.

Speaking at the meeting, Dharwad Growth Centre Industries Association vice-president S Hampannavar stated that the KIADB had acquired 240 acres for housing as per the Growth Centre Policy in 1994. The KIADB had agreed to develop 112 acres as housing layout. Unfortunately, the project has not taken wings even after 20 years, he lamented.

Moreover, 40 per cent of the Belur Industrial Area has no water supply and every year, during the summer season, the industries face acute water crisis, he pointed out.

The industrial units in the Growth Centre are being charged Rs 32 per 1,000 litres, while it is just Rs 10 for the Tata Motors' plant. Hence, the water tariff should be slashed, he added.

The industrialists also demanded the setting up of another 110 kV power station as 12 acres have already been allotted to KPTCL.

Fire Station

The industrialists urged the minister to set up a fire station in the industrial areas to prevent any damage due to fire accidents. A 2.5 acre land was allotted for the purpose 15 years ago, but no effort was made to set up the fire station, they said.

Speaking on the occasion, president of North Karnataka Small Scale Industries Association, Nagaraj Divate, stated that the industrial area had turned into a garbage dump and the investors were finding it difficult to set up their plant here.

There are short-term and long-term development works to be taken up to give a facelift to this 'sick' industrial area, he added.

He also urged the minister to make budgetary allocation of Rs 100 crore to enhance facilities at industrial areas.

Responding to this, Dinesh Gundurao stated that the industrial department would be directed to initiate short-term developmental activities and submit a report to the government.

Deputy Commissioner P Rajendra Cholan said a few industrialists were desisting from paying any taxes and asked them to promptly pay their tax dues.