N Karnataka to be made industrial hub

The Karnataka government has proposed to create a better atmosphere for investment and industry in the state with a special focus on the North Karnataka region.

In this direction it will acquire 25,000 acres and invest Rs 100 crore annually over the next five years.

Karnataka minister for major and medium industries Katta Subrahnmanya Naidu said that the state government had already asked the Karnataka Indsutrial Area Development Board (KIADB) to acquire 500 acres near Gamanagatti between Hubli-Dharwad for the purpose.

He said that the government would not spare any efforts to attract industries to the state in general and north Karnataka in particular and create jobs.

Naidu said the government would encourage private firms desiring to set up special economic zones (SEZ) in North Karnataka.

Replying to a question, the minister said the government was ready to allot 100 acres to Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) which is aspiring to set up its unit in Hubli. He informed that he had held a series of meetings with IT/BT companies and industrialists to persuade them to set up more industries in North Karnataka.

The minister said that the Suvarna Kayaka Shiskhana Yojane to provide on-job training for unemployed youth and to provide placements in private and public sector units had received a good response.

Recruitments will begin next month and the government hoped to clear over 45,000 applications it had received in the first phase. Naidu hinted that Gokuldas Garments had agreed to provide on-job training to unemployed youth in Hubli. Soon after the training, the unemployed youths will get jobs suitable to their qualification.

The minister had a closed door meeting with the members of Hubli-Dharwad Industrialists' Association who were highly critical of the poor state of infrastructure facilities in Belur and Rayapur industrial area.