K'taka to unveil 'electric vehicle policy'

The Karnataka government today said it will come out with an "Electric vehicle and energy storage policy" soon with an intention to make the state the electric vehicle capital of the country.
"We will soon be coming out with an electric vehicle and energy storage policy. Today in many countries electric vehicles have come, it is going to be the future, but because of the battery cost they have become costlier," Karnataka Industries Minister R V Deshpande told reporters here.
He said, "we will be the first state to bring this policy to attract investments into this new sunrise sector. Discussions are going on, we will bring it soon."

Pointing out various initiatives undertaken by the Industries and Commerce Department to boost investments in the state, the Minister said Karnataka had maintained first place under 'Investment Intention' according to Central government's Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion, with an intention of investments of Rs 1,40,683 crore.
He said in the last four years 1,823 projects have been approved by the state level single window clearance committee and state high level clearance committee with an investment of Rs 3.34 lakh crore, generating employment to 8.98 lakh persons.
He also pointed out that Karnataka government was laying emphasis on labour intensive sectors like toy manufacturing, mobile phones, tablets, electronic components and assemblies, and also to create more employment in manufacturing sector.

Deshpande also called on the private sector to join hands with the government to promote job creating ventures and more investments.

He also listed out that recently investment proposals have been received from companies such as Oracle India, TVS Motors, MRPL (Ethanol Plant), IKEA, SAP Labs, Wipro Aerospace, Molex India, HNI Autotech, ACE Bright Pharma among others.
Noting that 'Invest Karnataka', a non-profit company is incorporated to promote industries in Karnataka with 5 industry representatives and two government officials in the Board, Deshpande said Deepak Sood had been appointed as CEO to this company by deputation from CII.
The Minister highlighted the department's initiatives which include establishment of machine tool park and Japanese industrial township at Vasanthnarsapura, efforts to establish polymer design and development research laboratory on cost-sharing basis with government of India among others.

Also, coastal cashew tech centre in Kumta, marine export facility centre at Tadadi, six exclusive women industrial parks were the others.