)
Industrialists in Mysore feel that sufficient push is not being given to the existing units, in particular the small and medium ones, while no major industry has come up in the city though the city was being considered an important growth centre in Karnataka.
An interaction with them reveals that infrastructure is still the chief bottleneck to industrial growth. Many other issues too were affecting the sector and in attracting new investments in the area.
They highlight issues that are causing hurdles like tax issues, issues relating to the Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board (KIADB) land, high rate of interest for bank loans, delay in payments by public sector units, shortage of skilled labour, outmoded labour laws, eroded Rupee value among others.
They are of the opinion that the industrial policy, recently announced by the state government, is yet to impact Mysuru’s industrial growth. “It has not benefited us in any way so far. It lacks any significant initiative that would help us,” an industrialist remarked.
Hebbal Industrial Estate Manufacturers’ Association’s (HIEMA) former president H D Raghavendra says that big industries were not coming up in Mysuru which would benefit the MSMEs. Land should be made available at concessional rates. Industries should have a separate property tax structure.
Highlighting the need to develop infrastructure on a priority basis, including better connectivity, Mysore Chamber of Commerce & Industry (MCCI) former president N Nagaraj urges that industrial areas around the city need better connectivity. KSRTC should link industrial layouts with more and frequent bus services for the convenience of workers.
Lamenting that the Cauvery Tourism Circuit was yet to take shape though it was announced some months back, MCCI President A S Satish said tourism needs to be promoted with private-public partnership to exploit the rich potential available in and around Mysuru. Industrialist M D Vidyaranya cited the non-expansion of the Mysuru airport and the suspension of flights to Mysuru depriving air link to Mysuru, and thus affecting tourism. They also stressed the need to complete the doubling of the rail track between Mysuru and Bengaluru, and also six-lane road connectivity between the two cities.
On the KIADB land issues, they were of the common opinion that the present 99-year lease contract should be removed and it should be for 10-20 years.
“99 years is too long a period. Even after paying the full rate of Rs 1 crore, one has to enter into a long lease,” rued HIEMA President C M Subramaniam, adding that the SSIs should be given land at concession rates.
“Authorities have not understood the difference between sale and lease,” Nagaraj remarked
Subramaniam wanted a separate branch of the Karnataka State Financial Corporation in the industrial area.
Stressing on skill development, Vidyaranya said attention was needed on skill development among women entrepreneurs. “Presently, the industry skill they have is not sufficient to help them sustain their ventures,” he remarked. Similarly, Nagaraj cited shortage of skilled labour faced by industries in Mysuru. Newcomers need to be impressed upon R&D innovation as well, he added.
