* Global meet to attract Rs 5 lakh cr investment
Bangalore: Apr 28, DH News Service

The State Government is expecting an investment to the tune of Rs five lakh crore from in the Global Investors’ Meet (GIM) scheduled for June 3 and 4 in Bangalore.

The investment expected includes 72 projects of worth Rs 2.32 lakh crore already cleared by the State High Level Clearance Committee. The project promoters will sign memorandums of understanding with the State Government during the Global Investors’ Meet.

Industries minister Murugesh Nirani, addressing a press conference in Bangalore on Wednesday, said he was hopeful that more than 60 per cent of MoUs signed in the GIM would be realised in the coming years. In the last GIM held, when S M Krishna was the chief minister, memorandums of understanding for projects worth Rs 20,000 crore were signed. Of them Rs 12,000 crore worth realised over the years.

The government had conducted road shows in China, Japan, Europe, USA, Singapore, South Korea, New Delhi, Mumbai to attract investors to the GIM. Similar road shows would be held in Hyderabad and Chennai as well. The road show in Hyderabad is scheduled on Thursday.

Compensation

The government had identified one lakh acres of land across the state for industries. Of them final notification of 50,000 acres would be issued in a few days. The remaining 50,000 acres would be notified before the GIM. “Land losers can take compensation for their land in terms both cash and developed land. Those opt for developed land, will get 9,600 sq ft of developed land for every acre of land”, the minister said.

Global district

The Industrial Finance Corporation of India (IFCI) has shown interest to invest Rs 1,000 crore in the proposed global financial district, coming up in 150 acres near International Airport in Devanahalli. Industries minister Murugesh Nirani, on Wednesday, the Corporation had sought 50 acres of land in the district.

The IFCI would set up its base in the global district. Besides, 12 national banks, one or two global banks and insurance companies would come up in the district. “The location, close to the international airport, is a strategic point for financial institutions.

DHNS (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/66553/global-meet-attract-rs-5.html)

Centre for Kannada

The city-based Central Institute of Indian Languages said the Union ministry of human resource development has approved the establishment of center of excellence of studies in classical Kannada, which will work on various schemes and activities identified by it. The CIIL director Rajesh Sachdeva said the centre will research, document, propagate and teach classical Kannada. Some of the classical texts in Kannada will cross the language barriers and reach a border audience both in Indian and abroad, thanks to the centre

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/speednews/city-Mysore,sort-city.cms

RS. 50 CR. FOR DEVELOPMENT OF CHURCHES IN STATE

Mysore, Oct. 17 - The State Government has earmarked a sum of Rs. 50 crore for the overall development of Churches in the State, said District In-Charge Minister S.A. Ramdas and added that a committee will soon be constituted and heads of the community’s organisations will be nominated.

He was speaking after laying the foundation stone for Our Lady of Perpetual Succour Church proposed to be built at Srirampura Third Stage in city yesterday.

The Churches to be renovated or developed will be identified before releasing the amount, Ramdas said. He assured to get the Rs. two crore meant for the restoration of St. Philomena’s Church released soon. He also announced an aid of Rs. 10 lakh for the upcoming church.

Earlier, members of the community submitted a memorandum to the Minister seeking financial aid for the Church and also grant of land for a cemetery near Lingambudhi Lake.

Continuing his speech, Ramdas advised against wooing the minorities for political benefits. "There is no such thing as majority and minority communities. Creating vote banks on the basis of caste and religion would lead to social imbalance," he cautioned. Bishop of Mysore Diocese Rev. Dr. Thomas Antony Vazhapilly, Rev. Dr. N.S. Marie Joseph, Vicar General, Rev. Dr. Desmond Rebello, Rev. Dr. Paul Chandran Kunnel, Corporators R. Kempanna and M. Pradeep Kumar were present.

http://www.starofmysore.com

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Guys...read the HPEC report which will form the basis for JnNURM 2.0

http://niua.org/projects/hpec/FinalReport-hpec.pdf

Dont forget to note the successful 24*7 water supply pilot project being carried out in Hubli Dharwad, Belgaum and Gulbarga..

New record in sugar production

Mahesh Kulkarni / Chennai/ Bangalore October 20, 2011, 0:45 IST
State produced 3.67 mn tn sugar in 2010-11; modest growth estimated for 2011-12.

Sugar production in Karnataka has hit an all-time high of 3.67 million tonnes during the sugar year-ended September 2011, which is a growth of 49.3 per cent over the previous year. During 2009-10, mills in the state produced 2.45 million tonnes.

Karnataka is the third largest producer of sugar in the country and accounts for about 15 per cent of the country’s sugar production this year.
As many as 59 sugar mills crushed 33.61 million tonnes of sugarcane this year, showing a growth of 47.3 per cent over the previous year. During 2009-10 sugar season, mills in the state crushed 22.81 million tonnes of sugarcane, industry sour-ces said. According to South Indian Sugar Mills Association (SISMA), the rise in production is on account of the expansion of cane area and a rise in production of sugarcane, capacity addition by mills and good recovery. With the addition of two new mills in the state last season, the crushing capacity has risen to 252,500 TCD (tonnes crushed per day).

In terms of sugar recov-ery, the mills increased sugar recovery by 14 basis points to achieve a recovery of 10.92 per cent as against 10.78 per cent in the previous year. For 2010-11 sugar year, the mills paid Rs 1,800 per tonne to sugarcane farmers in southern parts which is 29.5 per cent more than the fair and remunerative price (FRP) fixed by the Centre for the year. Farmers in the northern parts of the state got Rs 400 extra per tonne towards harvest and transportation costs. The ex-mill price for the millers averaged Rs 25 per kg during the year, SISMA officials said.

Having achieved a record production, the industry body does not expect a big jump during the sugar year. As the state is witnessing drought conditions in over 80 taluks this year, the industry expects a modest growth of 3.5 per cent to 3.8 million tonnes in 2011-12. In terms of cane crushing, the industry expects to crush about 34.6 million tonnes, a growth of about 3 per cent.

“Going by the present indications, we cannot expect the mills to crush more than 36 million tonnes of sugarcane for the current year,” industry sources said.

Area under sugarcane has gone up by 7 per cent to touch 490,000 hectares during the year in Karnataka. Of this, the harvestable area would be around 300,000 hectares during the 2011-12 crushing season.

For the present season, already 12 mills have com-menced crushing in south-ern parts of the state, while mills in northern districts are likely to commence crushing after Diwali festival, the sources said.

The mills in southern parts of the state have announced an advance cane price of Rs 1,900 per tonne, which is 31 per cent higher than the fair and remunerative price (FRP) fixed by the Centre. Mills in northern Karnataka are yet to fix their prices.

http://business-standard.com/india/news/new-record-in-sugar-production-/453078/

If the lakes in the Bangalore-Chitradurga belt are managed properly, there will be no need for the Netravati diversion project, which is very flawed, Harish R. Bhat, a scientist with the Centre for Ecological Sciences at the Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore, said here on Wednesday.

Having studied the Detailed Project Report prepared for the project, Mr. Bhat said it appeared that the project had been conceptualised without taking the topography of the region into consideration. The project aimed at directing water against gravitational force, and made it flow towards Bangalore “by making a hole in hills, much like a making a hole in a wall”.

The flow of water in the river was not known and the Mangalore city itself faced water shortage in summer as the river dried up, he added.

Mr. Bhat said that if the thousands of lakes in and around the Bangalore-Chitradurga region were preserved and protected from pollution and damage, there would be no need for diversion of the Netravati.

He was making these remarks towards the end of his speech on the second day of a seminar organised by the Social Work Department of St. Aloysius College.

Trying to explain how illogical some conservation attempts were, Mr. Bhat said the Forest Department had once planted 70,000 saplings in a year in Kudremukh Hill range, but the next year “zero, because all the plants had died”.
The Hindu (http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Mangalore/article2554605.ece)

Rs 20 crore packaging facility to come up at DFRL
(http://www.deccanherald.com/content/199652/rs-20-crore-packaging-facility.html)



Chief controller, research and development (life science and international cooperation) Dr W Selwamurhty on Friday announced that a packaging and marketing wing at an estimated cost of Rs 20 crore will be established at Defence Food and Research Laboratory (DFRL) premises here in the next five year plan.

He was speaking at the launch of golden jubilee celebrations organised on the premises of DFRL in the city. Selwamurthy said DRDO and DFRL still have space to accommodate 2,000 scientists, meaning that the premier institutes of the nation has employment opportunities for the eligible candidates. When security is the vital part of development of any nation, it’s also the tool for others to gauge strength. DFRL an integral part of DRDO has been producing vitamin rich food for the soldiers in land, air force and also naval wings, besides para-military force personnel. Informing about the new initiatives, Selwamurthy said there are many researches in its final stages developed using nano technology.

It includes ready to eat technology, water testing kit and freeze dry. The chapati will last for six months making it fit enough to consume, and also a machine that can prepare 1,000 chapatis in one hour. That apart, a machine that acts like a quality control ensuring the freshness of meat is also developed. Separate nutritious foods are being developed for the benefit of land, navy, air force and also astronauts. Juices prepared using beetroot, ginger, aloevera will definitely be a hit. It is also healthy as it helps keep control on cholesterol and hyper-tension.

Selwamurthy lauded rapid and sensitive kit used to check the samples of anthrax and aphla-toxin ‘A’ if any in the food invented, and milk testing kit to maintain quality. He said research is on to develop another technology to preserve curd for long. DFRL director A R Bawa said it has been planned to start post-graduate course in food technology, in addition to PG diploma course already in place. Commandant ASC centre and college Lt Gen Kamal Mohey and director DRDO, New Delhi Dr G Ilavazhagan were felicitated.

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3 lakh NRIs may return; Karnataka top choice

New Delhi: Amid uncertain job market conditions overseas, as many as 3,00,000 Indian engineering professionals are expected to return home during the five-year period from 2011-15, says a survey.

Global workforce solutions provider Kelly Services India has said that more Indians working abroad would migrate back to India within the next five years, lured by promising opportunities in the country.

"An estimated 3,00,000 Indian professionals working overseas are expected to return between 2011-2015... for majority of reverse migrants, job satisfaction levels in India will outshine their previous overseas jobs within the next 2-3 years," Kelly Services India said in a report released on Monday.

"Karnataka is the most preferred Indian state to live for reverse migrants at 88 per cent followed by Gujarat, Maharashtra, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Delhi and Punjab at 72 per cent, 66 per cent, 65 per cent, 58 per cent, 55 per cent and 48 per cent, respectively," Kelly Services India said.

read full article (http://ibnlive.in.com/news/3-lakh-nris-may-return-karnataka-top-choice/198091-62-129.html)

MYSORE: After Gujarat and Maharashtra, Karnataka occupies the third position in the co-operative movement in India and has made tremendous progress in the Cooperative Sector. As of March 31, 2010, there are 34,927 societies enrolled with the Registrar of Co-operative Societies of which 30,093 are functioning, 2,710 are defunct and the remaining 2,124 are under liquidation.

When it comes to profit, societies registered in Mangalore stands first among districts which are running profitably namely Kodagu, D-K, Udupi, Karwar, Belgaum, Bijapur and Bagalkot. Comparatively, profit margins of societies registered in Mysore is less. There are 8,235 cooperative societies in Mysore, Chamarajanagar, Mandya, Hassan, Chikmagalore, Kodagu, D-K and Udupi districts, of which 4,133 are running profiting, 2,315 under loss and the remaining 1,787 are average out.

In Mysore a total of 1,881 cooperative societies are registered, of which 904 are profiting, 639 under loss and 338 are average out. According to sources from the Cooperative Society Officers, the reason is existence of about 200 odd-consumer societies which are not performing well and also due to loss in consumer sector, marketing sector and processing sector.

According to officials, the reason for Mangalore recording the highest profit is because in Mangalore the member participation is quite high and they are also prompt in making re-payment of loans borrowed from the society. �
Sector wise it is the milk sector that records the highest profit among all the cooperative societies. Even in rural areas societies registered under Public Distribution System and Handicrafts are running under loss due to lack of active participation by its members. While credit activities and urban banking in big cities like Bangalore are running under profit while consumer goods sector, marketing sector and processing sector, including the Mahila Multi-Purpose Society are under loss.

IBNLive (http://ibnlive.in.com/news/state-makes-good-progress-in-cooperative-sector/198765-60-115.html)

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Bangalore, Nov 4, DHNS:

The Textiles Department will set up Textile Parks in Belgaum, Chitradurga, Kolar, Tumkur and Chikkaballapur, Textiles Minister Varthur Prakash said on Thursday.

Addressing the media in Bangalore, Prakash said the government would give a subsidy of Re 1 per unit of the electricity consumed by factories that will be set up in the Textile Parks.

The minister said there were around 55,000 weavers in the State and efforts were being made to provide houses to all of them.

Presently, housing has been provided to 25,000 weavers. Around 350 families have been identified in the Naxal-hit areas of the State, where the department will impart training in weaving.

Prakash said the Textile sector had attracted an investment of around Rs 500 crore. He said he would shortly hold discussions with Education Minister Vishweshwara Hegde Kageri to resolve the school uniform distribution problem.

His department is presently finding it difficult to meet the Education department’s demand.
He said the actual requirement would be ascertained from the Education department, following which a decision will be taken on the total number of uniforms to be distributed.

DHNS (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/202602/textile-parks-come-up-five.html)

RAVIPRASAD KAMILA

PROVIDING ASSISTANCE: The Rubber Board estimates a potential of about 1.5 lakh hectares for rubber cultivation in the Konkan belt.
It aims to address ‘development, technical needs of growers'

The Rubber Board, under the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry, has offered to set up a rubber demonstration (model plantation)-cum-training centre for growers in Karnataka, provided the State Government allots 150 acres for it.

Chairman of the board Sheela Thomas, wrote to V. Madhu, Principal Secretary, Revenue, to this effect last month.

Ms. Thomas said in the letter that the land could be allotted in the potential rubber-growing tracts of Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Shimoga, Chikmagalur, Uttara Kannada and Kodagu districts.

The letter said that rubber cultivation was being taken up on a large scale along the Konkan belt. The board estimated a potential of about 1.5 lakh hectares for rubber cultivation in the Konkan belt.

Demand

It said that there was a demand from organisations of rubber growers as well as from the board members representing Karnataka, for setting up a centre to help growers. The board did not have its nursery in the State and farmers depended on private nurseries for their planting material requirement. “…To address the genuine development and technical needs of Karnataka rubber growers, the board is willing to establish the centre in Karnataka…,” the letter said.

The Karnataka State Rubber Cultivators' Hitarakshana Vedike had appealed to the board to set up a centre in the State.

Its president, Shridhar G. Bhide, in an earlier memorandum to the board, had requested for a separate package for the Konkan belt.

According to Mr. Bhide, more than two lakh hectares in the Konkan belt was suitable for rubber cultivation.

He said the package should have a training centre for growers, a regional nursery, a model plantation, more tapping training centres, four more regional offices, and subsidy for purchasing rollers (for making graded rubber sheets) and building smoke houses. The vedike also requested the board to set up laboratory facilities for testing soil, leaf and latex at the Rubber Research Station, Nettana in Sullia taluk.

The Hindu (http://www.thehindu.com/business/Industry/article2598544.ece)

Rs 10 crore released to develop major roads
Kolar, Nov 6, DHNS:

With a special grant of Rs 10 lakh released by the State government, major roads in the city are being asphalted, said District In-charge Minister R Varthur Prakash.

He was speaking after flagging of road works worth Rs one crore here on Saturday. He further said that Rs 10 crore released by the government to develop major roads in the city, has been distributed to initiate various related works.

Road widening work will be undertaken from Mekke Circle to new bus stand and from National Highway 4 to Terahalli Betta Road.

In the first phase, road work in Rahmath Nagar has been taken up. Besides, shop vendors on M B Road will be taken into confidence before going ahead with the widening work here.

However, road works will be taken up once the work on UGD is completed, Varthur added.

Since the Yaragol Project will be launched soon, pipeline work will be undertaken at various places in the city and Rs 24 has been kept aside for the purpose.

read more (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/203016/rs-10-crore-released-develop.html)

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STATE GOVT. TO SET UP 5 NEW POLICE STATIONS IN COASTAL AREAS

In a bid to counter naxal and terrorist activities in coastal areas, the State Govt. has proposed to establish five new Police Stations in coastal areas besides planning to set up eight Police Training Colleges during the next four years, said Home Minister R. Ashok here this morning.

He was speaking after receiving salute and inspecting the 35th passing out parade of 213 Probationary Sub-Inspectors of Police from Karnataka and five probationers from Pondicherry including 39 women at Karnataka Police Academy (KPA) premises at Nazarbad in city.

Ashok, who said that training for 400 probationary PSIs had started from Nov. 8, added that process of recruiting 4,012 Police Constables would be initiated in a fortnight and added that 16 new Police Stations in the State would be set up.

Formation of KISF

The Home Minister also hinted at the formation of Karnataka Industrial Security Force (KISF) on the lines of Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) at a cost of Rs. 3.5 crore to provide security to IT, BT and other important industries which are vulnerable to terrorist activities.

He stated that people's conception about Police using foul language had been fast changing with more and more educated people of all faculties joining the Department. Ashok, who said that 31 of 41 Police buildings in the State would be upgraded, ad-ded that the office of the Police Commissioner at Mangalore would be inaugurated soon.

http://www.starofmysore.com

24x7 weather helpdesk set up

Want to know the weather forecast so that you can properly plan your agricultural operations or finalise some other plans? Well, the Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre has set up a 24x7 helpdesk to assist people over telephone in this regard. All you need to do is to call the helpdesk on (080) 227252341 (for north Karnataka) or (080) 22725232 (for south Karnataka).

According to the centre Director V.S. Prakash, this is the first such effort in the country. Meanwhile, the centre has been sending daily weather forecast through SMS to 1.25 lakh persons, including deputy commissioners, superintendents of police, CEOs of zilla panchayats, tahsildars and senior agricultural officers.

The disaster monitoring centre will now include panchayat development officers and secretaries on the list.

http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-karnataka/article2620309.ece

Industrial security force

Karnataka will soon have an industrial security force on the lines of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) to guard vital installations such as reservoirs and scientific institutions in the State.

Minister for Home and Transport R. Ashok told reporters here on Friday that Rs. 3.5 crore had been sanctioned for establishing the Karnataka State Industrial Security Force.

“We wanted to have a CISF-like force to safeguard key installations from terror threats. Reservoirs, information technology and biotechnology companies will get security from the force,” the Minister informed.

http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-karnataka/article2620820.ece

‘Natural disasters have cost Karnataka Rs75,000 crore’

Owing to 11 floods and 10 droughts in the last decade, the monetary equivalent of socio-economic losses Karnataka has faced is about `75,000 crore, according to Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre (KSNDMC).

“These losses could have been prevented to a large extent if these natural disasters could have been predicted,” said VS Prakash, director KSNDMC.

Housing minister V Somanna inaugurated the new building of the centre on Friday. The building is spread over 10 acres at Yelahanka. The centre will not only detect climate-related hazards such as drought, hailstorms, floods, cyclones, earthquakes and tsunami, but will also monitor ground-water depletion and hydrological hazards such as pest and insect attacks as well as plagues.

“While the centre will be a master control facility to provide information reports, advice to communities and data for research, another important facility is that we will also directly help farmers, fishermen, the transport sector as well as the electricity sector in the state,” said the director, adding that the centre also has a helpline where people can call to get information.

KSNDMC has also developed a weather-forecast model that will provide forecasts twice every day regarding rainfall at the Hobli level. Till now, this was being done only at the district level.

http://www.dnaindia.com/bangalore/report_natural-disasters-have-cost-karnataka-rs75000-crore_1611380

Coca Cola investing in Karnataka ...vow
http://www.rediff.com/business/slide-show/slide-show-1-coca-cola-to-invest-usd-2-bn-in-india/20111114.htm

"This investment is part of our commitment to invest in innovation partnerships, portfolio of brands and enhancing infrastructure," Coca Cola India and South-West Asia President and CEO Atul Singh said.

A part of the planned investment will go toward setting up a company-owned manufacturing plant. Singh said the firm is currently scouting locations in Karnataka for establishing the new facility.

Centre to help Karnataka rejuvenate degraded land
TNN | Nov 17, 2011 (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hubli/Centre-to-help-Karnataka-rejuvenate-degraded-land/articleshow/10766303.cms)Dharwad: Karnataka government has entered into a pact with the Centre to reclaim two lakh hectares of degraded land and convert it into cultivable land.

Speaking at the inaugural session of the annual convention of India Society of Soil Science organized at the University of Agricultural Sciences here on Wednesday, water resources minister Basavaraj Bommai said the Centre will grant Rs 606 crore to rejuvenate the land as per the MoU.

The project has already been launched in the state and 88,000 hectare degraded land has been turned into cultivable land. A total of Rs 253 crore is spent on this so far, he added.

The project will be extended to other degraded lands and in a bid to increase food production.

Besides, thrust has been laid on micro-irrigation, which will help farmers of non-irrigated lands get adequate water resource for cultivation.

This project is likely to get a green signal from the Centre as the Union government is marching ahead in launching Water Policy Act by January 2012, he said.

Another important project taken up by the State is rejuvenation of the rivers, tanks and lakes. A few tanks in the north Karnataka region are on the verge of extinction following silt formation. The project will ensure that the silt formation is arrested and also, soil erosion in the catchment area is checked.

Speaking on the occasion, deputy director general of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) A K Singh said the cultivable land in India is shrinking at an alarming rate while population is on the rise. Hence, the challenges before the experts have many-fold.

Now, the government should consider this as an emerging issue and form policies which are pro-agriculture, he noted.

Dr Singh said, this year, the country has achieved 265 million tonnes of food grains production which is an all-time record. But, to meet the food demand of the ever growing population, there is a need to enhance food productivity.

By 2020, India should produce 400 million tonnes of food grains to feed the hungry domestic market, he said.

He called upon scientists to give emphasis on micro-nutrients, which will maintain the fertility of the soil and can get better yield year after year.

Indian Society of Soil Sciences president B P Singh, dean, College of Agriculture M B Chetti presented their views on the issue. UAS vice-chancellor R R Hanchinaal presided.

The Karnataka government is planning an integrated energy policy soon which will deal with promoting public-private partnership projects in the energy sector, a senior government official said.

“With a target of adding 10,000 Mw in the next eight years, we have identified projects in Gulbarga and Belgaum. The integrated energy policy will promote public-private partnerships in various aspects of energy sector like distribution and transmission of power,” Raj Kumar Khatri, secretary to government, infrastructure development department, government of Karnataka said.

Speaking at the Business Standard Infrastructure Round Table 2011, Khatri said the state government’s Vision Plan 2020 specifies twin objectives of high growth and affordable infrastructure solutions. Under this plan, the state government has envisaged all round development of various sectors like railways, roads, power, airports and seaports.

The government is looking to increase the railway density from the present 16 kms per 1,000 sq kms to 41 kms at an investment of Rs 25,000 crore. Similarly, in the road sector, the index would be improved from 1.07 per cent to 1.5 per cent, he said.

In the energy sector, Khatri said, the per capita consumption per annum would be doubled from 700 units to 1,400 units. This would mean that the state would have to put in an investment of Rs 30,000 crore per annum over the next nine years, he said. The two minor airports planned at Gulbarga and Shimoga would be operational before end of July 2012.

The expansion of Bangalore international airport to handle 17 million passengers is underway and the second runway would be developed in the second phase expansion, he added.

The state government has also taken up joint development of railway projects on a cost-sharing basis with the Central government involving Rs 24,000 crore. This will result in laying of 2,137 kms of new railway lines, he said.

Chief minister D V Sadananda Gowda said, the Railway Ministry has approved three new railway lines in the state, such as Gadag-Wadi, Kengeri-Chamrajnagar and Srinivasapura-Madanapalle.

On completion of these projects, the rail density, which is measured in number of kilometres of rail line per thousand square kilometre of area, would increase from the existing 16 kms to 23 kms.

In his keynote address, Gowda said, “Gauge conversion and line doubling works also are being undertaken. The state government has also received in-principle approval for Metro Phase II from the Central Government.”

As many as 105 infrastructure projects under PPP format are underway in the state and are at various stages of development involving an investment of Rs 80,946 crore, he said. The government would replicate the urban water supply project, implemented in Hubli, in other 16 cities.

The state cabinet would soon discuss two other projects related to bulk supply of water in Chitradurga and Bijapur, Khatri added.



Business Standards (http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/policy-for-ppp-in-energyanvil/456196/)

‘Steps on to give push to infrastructure projects'

Chief Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda on Monday said that the Government was proposing to introduce an infrastructure development bill for establishing an Infrastructure Development Authority. He said the Government would also adopt an integrated energy policy for generating an additional 10,000 MW in eight years.

Speaking at the Business Standard Infrastructure Round-table, 2011 organised in collaboration with the Department of Infrastructure Development (IDD) and Karnataka State Industrial Investment Development Corporation, here, Mr. Gowda said that Civil Aviation Plan, Minor Airport Policy and Infrastructure Investment Plan were under way. “Transaction Advisers” would be involved to help in identifying projects and expedite their implementation.

He said that the all-weather greenfield port at Tadadi, gas pipeline between Dhabol and Bangalore, city gas distribution for Bangalore, integrated bulk water supply system and distribution schemes in many districts, intermodal transit centre at Subhashnagar, and traffic and transport management centre at Hebbal were in the pipeline. He said that 16 projects involving an investment of Rs. 24,000 crore were being taken up to increase rail connectivity by 2,137 km. With this, the rail density in the State would rise to 24 km from the present 16 km for every 1,000 km, the lowest in the country. He said that the Railway Ministry had approved three rail lines — Gadag to Wadi, Kengeri to Chamarajanagar, and Srinivasapura to Madanapalle.

Mr. Gowda said that the Gulbarga and Shimoga airports would be complete by July next. For the Bijapur airport, 721 acres of land had been handed over and acquisition of 565 acres for the Hassan airport was on. The Bellary airport work could not be started, as the land acquisition proceedings were pending in the courts.

Expansion

About the Bengaluru International Airport, the Chief Minister said that the expansion of the terminal had been started and the second phase would begin in a year. Minor airports would be developed under PPP. He said that Karnataka required to invest Rs. 30,870 crore annually for achieving 8 to 9 per cent GSDP in railways, roads and energy sectors.

Transparency

Planning Commission member B.K. Chaturvedi told IDD Secretary Rajkumar Khatri that the Centre was ready to consider his proposal for treating the State Government as a partner in infrastructure development. Mr. Chaturvedi gave the assurance that the Centre would help Karnataka in the 12t {+h} Plan, but advised it to maintain transparency and integrity in the project process, so that more investors and industrialists could come to the State. Mr. Khatri said that the second runway would be taken up.

Business Standard Editor Ashok K. Bhattarcharya welcomed the gathering. Chief Secretary S.V. Ranganath and Additional Chief Secretary K. Jairaj and industry leaders were present.

http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-karnataka/article2648517.ece

Karnataka woos NRIs with multiple investment options

MUSCAT: High-level government official from India’s southern state of Karnataka has called upon non-resident Indians (NRIs) in the Sultanate to seriously consider investing in the state.

“With over 500 multinational companies and 66 global fortune 500 companies doing business in the state, Karnataka has tremendous potential in many areas of investment,” Venugopal V., managing director of Karnataka Udyog Mitra, told Times of Oman. Karnataka Udyog Mitra is a one-stop-shop for clearing investments.

Venugopal is on a visit here, organised by World Wide Business House.

He pointed out that Karnataka presents a plethora of investment avenues spread across diverse industry verticals spanning both manufacturing and services sectors.

Identifying the core sectors for investments, the official said: “Karnataka produces more than a quarter of India’s aircraft and spacecraft and thus aerospace is one such thrust area.

Infrastructure projects is another area which is the focus while investments on private ports, tourism, manufacturing, ship-building and repair are high on the agenda.”

“While Bangalore is the natural destination for all players in the aerospace industry, the country’s first aerospace Special Economic Zones (SEZ) has been set up in Belgaum in November, 2009. There is a proposal to set up an aerospace SEZ in a 250-acre space in Devanahalli, near the new airport in Bangalore. There is also a proposal to set up a defence manufacturing hub over 500 acres in Chellakere taluk in Chitradurga district,” he added.

Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for 389 projects worth 3.85 lakh crore were signed at the Global Investors Meet held in Bangalore in 2010. Of this, 22 projects have been executed while 226 projects are under different stages of being processed.

The Karnataka Udyog Mitra, which facilitates setting up businesses and create employment opportunities, is gearing up for the next edition of the Global Investors Meet (GIM) to be held between June 7 and 8, 2012.

He has called upon the NRIs in Oman to attend the meet which will showcase investment opportunities in Karnataka.
“One of India’s fastest-growing States, Karnataka has a strong industrial base and a vibrant service sector. With a large number of technocrats, blessed with a vibrant manufacturing oriented sector, IT hub.. all make Karnataka an ideal destination for investment,” he noted.

“On the infrastructure front, being a key driver of economy, we have identified about 100 projects to be implemented on public-private partnerships (PPP).”

Venugopal informed that the government is planning to hold road shows in Europe, US, GCC states in January and February next year.

, to attract NRI investment in Karnataka.

http://www.timesofoman.com/innercat.asp?cat=&detail=52260&sec=news

50 MoUs ready for signing at global agri investors summit



http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/multimedia/dynamic/00847/BL26_GOWDA_BLORE17_847020f.jpg
Providing stability to agri sector: The Chief Minister, Mr D.V. Sadananda Gowda (2nd left), addressing the media on Agri Business Meet at Vidhana Soudha in Bangalore.

Also seen from left: Mr Umesh Katti, PWD Minister; Mr B.N. Bachegowda, Labour Minister; Mr Anand Vasant Asnotikar, Fisheries Minister, and Mr Revu Naik Belamagi, Animal Husbandry Minister. — Photo: K. Gopinathan
BANGALORE, NOV 25:
At least 50 memoranda of understanding (MoUs) involving an investment pledge of Rs 40,000 crore are ready to be inked by Karnataka at the two-day Global Agri Investors Meet here from December 1, the Chief Minister, Mr D.V. Sadananda Gowda, said on Friday.

“The Government expects to lure investments of Rs 51,727 crore at the Global Agri Investors conference,” he told reporters.

The Union Agriculture Minister, Mr Sharad Pawar, the Opposition leader in the Lok Sabha, Ms Sushma Swaraj, and the Union Corporate Affairs Minister, Mr Veerappa Moily, would attend the summit, he said.

In an apparent attempt to avoid protests from farmers, who have expressed fears that the Goverment would acquire their lands to give it to MNCs, Mr Gowda urged them not to be carried away by “misinformation campaign” launched by some quarters.

He said the Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board and Karnataka State Industrial Investment Development Corporation have 1,000 acres while the Government has wasteland, which would be given to investors.

“No fertile land will be acquired. Only wasteland will be given to investors.

“The Government is not supporting capitalists in this meet, aimed at giving stability to the agriculture sector, improve productivity and ensure remunerative prices to farmers,” Mr Gowda said. He said the Government plans to improve cold storage chain, post-harvest techniques and food processing industries in the State to enhance export and create employment. He said countries such as France, the Netherlands and Australia would participate in the meet, besides domestic investors.

Development of special facilities of agriculture food processing industries, horticulture sector are expected to attract Rs 36,000 crore investment, he said.

The Hindu (http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/agri-biz/article2660118.ece)

48 Cities to be Developed as Solar Cities

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy proposes to develop 60 cities as solar cities. So far, based on proposals received by the Government from various Sates, ‘in-principle’ approval has been given to 48 cities to be developed as solar cities in the country. Out of these, sanctions have been given to 37 cities which have engaged consultants for preparation of Master Plans.

State-wise list of 48 Cities for which In-Principle approval has been given and 37 Cities (with * mark) for which sanctions have been issued is given below:-

http://img546.imageshack.us/img546/8613/73499503.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/546/73499503.jpg/)
http://img440.imageshack.us/img440/9852/47032643.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/440/47032643.jpg/)

The criteria set by the Ministry for the identification of cities include a city population between 50,000 to 50 lakh (with relaxation given to special category States including North-East States), initiatives and regulatory measures already taken alongwith a high level of commitment in promoting energy efficiency and renewable energy.

So far, an amount of Rs.17.23 crore has been sanctioned for 37 cities, of which Rs. 2.75 crore has been released for utilization by the concerned State Nodal Agencies/ Municipal Corporations.

So far, the Master plans for 7 cities namely Agra, Moradabad from Uttar Pradesh, Thane & Kalyan-Dombivli from Maharashtra, Indore from Madhya Pradesh, Kohima from Nagaland and Aizawl from Mizoram have been finalized and the development of projects is in progress.

This information was given by the Minister of New and Renewable Energy Dr. Farooq Abdullah in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.

:cheers: finally plp are considering HD

http://pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx?relid=77605

Government buildings in Karnataka to go green

Government buildings in Karnataka are on their way to start following the guidelines of the environment-rating system adopted by the Centre and devised by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI).

Karnataka chief secretary SV Ranganath announced this at a conference here on Friday.

read more: http://www.dnaindia.com/bangalore/report_government-buildings-in-karnataka-to-go-green_1617620

Divya Gandhi

* Karnataka's coastline is being threatened by the very edifice that was designed to protect it.

http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/00843/21bgdiv-Seawalls_G1_843176e.jpg
A threat: According to the State of Environment Report, the granite structures are unscientific and threaten fishing and turtle nesting. — File photo

Granite seawalls, constructed unscientifically along large sections of the State's 320-km coast to ostensibly protect the shore from erosion, are threatening the livelihoods of fishing communities and destroying coastal ecosystems, says the latest State of Environment Report for Karnataka, 2010-11.

These structures — essentially blocks of granite rock placed along the shoreline — have been installed along an eighth of the coastline, says the report compiled by Environment Management and Policy Research Institute (EMPRI) for the State Government.

Rs. 911-cr. project

This finding is particularly significant in the backdrop of the State Government's plans to construct permanent walls along the coast with a Rs. 911-crore loan from the Asian Development Bank, said author of the chapter on coastal zones Venkatray Nayak, professor at the Karnatak University PG Centre, Karwar. Minister for Ports and Environment J. Krishna Palemar, who made the announcement in February this year, said that the project would be completed by 2018.

Aesthetic value

While the walls will create a “fort” along the coast and impede turtle nesting, they will also make fishing operations difficult, says the report. It adds that the structure will also undermine the aesthetic value of the seashore for tourism.
Around 42 km of seawalls have been built at a cost of Rs. 40 crore along the shores of three coastal districts, namely, Uttara Kannada, Dakshina Kannada and Udupi, it says.

Site visits have revealed several environmental consequences. For instance, the seawall constructed in Devbagh beach (in Uttara Kannada) by Jungle Lodges & Resorts has actually increased erosion at both its ends and caused salt water intrusion into the paddy fields in the Nakhudamulla village area. The Devbag beach is also one of the best nesting grounds for Olive Ridley turtles, and the seawall has reduced the number of nesting visitors.

Erosion is a natural phenomenon, which occurs because of multiple reasons — wind, rain, of construction roads and jetties — and not just wave action. Therefore, seawalls cannot be the single solution, says the report. ‘Green walls', or vegetation cover, is a more sustainable alternative to preventing erosion, it adds.

Green walls

“The only solution is to protect dunes and dune vegetation instead of pouring boulders into the sea,” says the environmental report, which describes seawalls as “temporary relief, and eyewash [built] at the cost of taxpayer's money”.
Moreover, seawall construction has been ineffective in preventing erosion and involves large-scale quarrying of granite, it adds. In several places the walls are poorly engineered and built in the wrong places, making them vulnerable to erosion.
The State of Environment Report, Karnataka, will shortly be submitted to the Department of Ecology & Environment.

The Hindu (http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/article2648476.ece)

Karnataka State`s Tallest Building to come up in Mangalore.


Shri.Shashi Kiran Shetty Chairman and Managing Director of Allcargo Global Logistics Ltd., and reputed architect Shri. Sanath Kumar Shetty shall be building 125 Meters tall premium residential apartments with 38 stories near Karnataka Polytechnic Kadri. The building when completed will become the tallest residential building in Karnataka.

Shri. Sanath Kumar Shetty in a news briefing gave the details of proposed building.The proposed building will have 200 hundred luxury apartments, each apartment will have a minimum floor area 3000 Sq. ft The building will have three level basements dedicated for parking. The building will be spread over an area of 4.25 acres and the building complex shall occupy only 9% of the total area.

The amenities in the proposed building includes; Swimming pools, Water falls, Putting area for Mini Golf, Tennis and Badminton court. The building will be equipped with seven high speed Elivator. It is proposed to have a helipad atop the building. According to Shri.Sanath Kumar Shetty the necessary clearance from various authorities are already in place. The construction of the building shall start soon and is scheduled to complete the project within forty months.

Rocky thanks for sharing,that is an old news.We also a have a thread for tracking that project :) Can you post the source url?

125 m will make it 1-2 m short of Brigade North Star -World Trade center Bengaluru. :)

^^ http://www.buntsfootprints.com/news/100
dated 26/1/10 :ohno:

Yup Akash.Its an old news.
I posted this because, the tallest building of Karnataka has set come up in Majestic. BBMP has a plan to demolish Majestic and to bring up a building with 60 floors,I guess,with Metro terminal,KSRTC stand,BMTC stand,Food court,Shopping arcade,5 floor Parking,some residential.
But the plan has screwed up. So Mangalore will have tallest in the state.

BANGALORE: Soon, the dusty, bustling Majestic bus stand will be a thing of the past. In its place, a swanky transport terminal will come up, integrating various modes of travel -- BMTC, KSRTC, Metro and railway services.

Beside it will stand a towering landmark -- at 40 storeys, the transport department hopes to make it an iconic skyscraper. The tower would be the tallest in Bangalore, going up 250 metres. Right now, UB City stands high at 128 metres. All other towers in the world average above 400 m, though the Empire State Building in the US is 381 m.

Source
http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-03-25/bangalore/29188167_1_bus-terminal-empire-state-building-tower

Already, 12 bidders have shown interest in construction of the skyscraper on a 40-acre plot. The cost is pegged at Rs 1,200 crore, and work is due to begin by December 2011.

Though tenders were floated a year ago, not many builders came forward to take up the project last year because of the recession. A slump in the real estate sector and the global recession had a cascading effect on some infrastructure projects initiated by the government on the public-private-partnership model, and the tower was one among them.

The tower will have commercial complexes that will make the project self-sustainable through revenue generation. The 40 storeys will have office space, commercial shops, even a recreation area. As a revenue-spinner, the skyscraper may even include a mall and multiplex.

MULTI-LEVEL A/C TERMINAL

The proposed inter-nodal transit centre will be built on 32.5 acres along the PPP model. It will be a state-of-the-art, multi-level bus terminal, with a vast parking area. The city bus terminal will be at the ground level, while suburban buses will be stationed on a higher level. It'll have a common waiting lounge at the middle level.

"The mega bus terminal will be completely air-conditioned, and will have two parts. The building for boarding buses will have six or seven floors, with a commuter concourse and escalators. The neighbouring building would be a high-rise with commercial complexes," said KSRTC MD Gaurav Gupta. According to him, the transport terminal will handle more people than BIA does. "It should last for the next 30 years, as per our plans," he added.

For Metro infrastructure, KSRTC has given 7.5 acres of land to Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation (BMRC) and 12.5 acres have been leased out for a period of three years for allied construction activities.

Once Metro work begins in full swing, there will be some changes in BMTC operations, but the concrete action plan is yet to be formulated, said a senior official.

Source
http://articles.timesofindia.indiati...building-tower

NEI to invest Rs 500cr in 5 years to increase bearing manufacturing capacity


Wednesday, 30 November 2011
New Delhi: National Engineering Industries (NEI), a CK Birla Group firm engaged in bearing manufacturing, plans to invest around Rs. 100 crores annually for next 5 years for capacity enhancement in existing three plants and setting up the fourth plant besides increasing spend on R&D to 1% of its turnover. The fourth plant will be located at Gujarat & Karnataka, for which the due diligence is being conducted.

The company plans to invest up to Rs 1,250 crore (including Rs 150 - 750 crore for acquisitions) in the next five years to double production capacity and to acquire an overseas company. NEI is scouting for companies in Europe and the US with an annual turnover of Rs 100-500 crore. NEI has been in discussions with potential target companies and a deal is expected to be finalised soon.
The company currently has a total installed capacity of 80 million bearings per year, at its two plants in Rajasthan at Jaipur and Newai, and one at Manesar in Haryana. It aims to double this number to 160 million bearings per year.

"As part of the aggressive growth plans, we are considering acquisitions besides organic growth with new and innovative product introductions at higher frequency. R&D continues to be a key focus area and we intend to increase spend to 1% of the turnover," said Rohit Saboo, President and CEO, NEI.

Increased R&D spends will be utilized for regular technology upgradation and setting up new research labs for encouraging innovation in product development. The key focus areas include Application Engineering, Product Testing, Product Engineering, Advanced Product Technology, Advanced Manufacturing Technology, Advanced Material Technology, Modeling & Simulation & Tribology.

The company registered a revenue of Rs 1,051 crore last fiscal and it expects to close this fiscal with a revenue of about Rs 1,200 crore. It aims to achieve Rs 2,000 crore sales by 2015-16.

NEI unveiled its new brand logo in sync with its brand transformation and dynamic business strategy.

"In keeping with the fast paced transition in the business scenario for customer over the recent years, we offer diverse and energy efficient world class products with highly flexible approach. Improving the operational efficiencies of our customer’s business with innovative and technologically advanced products at competitive pricing is our core proposition, and is reflected in the transformed brand identity," said Rohit Saboo.

Karnataka reels out a quarter of the total silk produce in the country, which is approximately 7,338 MT (2010-11) Thanks, to the climatic condition in the State that favours sericulture activity all through the year. Rearing of silkworms and commercial production of cocoons and silk in the State, date back to the 18th Century. The upcoming Global Agribusiness and Food Processing Summit 2011 will showcase the promising opportunities in Sericulture - from Silk-worm rearing, cultivation and harvesting of Mulberry, Pesticides to Ahimsa silk.

Silk cultivation
Silk-fibre is a protein produced from the silk glands of silkworms Five varieties of silk worms are reared in India for producing this natural fibre. In Karnataka, Bombyx mori - the silk worm feeding on Mulberry leaves are used to produce silk, unlike other states where Tassar, Eri And Muga variety of silk are produced.
The cultivation of mulberry, the food plant of Bombyx mori is the first step in the production of mulberry silk. Men carry out mulberry cultivation, while the women of the household engage themselves in rearing of silkworms. At least 62,697 hectares of land in Karnataka is under Mulberry plantation, where sericulture is practiced in almost every household across the traditional districts - Mandya, Ramnagaram, Kolar, Chikkaballapur, Bengaluru and Tumkur districts.

With special intervention, farmers in non-traditional districts like Belgaum, Bidar, Bijapur, Bagalkot, Gulbarga, Gadag and Haveri are also taking to sericulture in a big way. Nearly, Karnataka contributes 85 per cent of the country's silk production, as it rears multi-voltine hybrids of silkworm, which enable harvest of five to six crops a year.

Innovations
The introduction of new technology of handling Bombyx mori silkworms in the sericulture belts in Karnataka has made production of bivoltine silk, which adds up to the international grades. This silk will help India enter the export market of raw silk. Improved silkworm race and hybrids, better rearing and reeling technologies, evolution of high leaf yielding mulberry varieties have enhanced quality and quantity of silk yield.

Go green
Some of the trends in the sector herald new-age mantras of eco-friendly farming and animal protectionism. For example, organic sericulture focuses on organically cultivating mulberry using sunnhemp a fibre crop used for paper and pulp production or as green manure.

Ahimsa or Peace silk
Another successful experiment has been with Ahimsa silk. In 1991, Hyderabad-based Kusuma Rajaiah, a technocrat invented the technique of getting silk yarn from cocoons without killing the silk worms. After prolonged research, the Ahimsa silk was made marketable in 2001. While, the regular silk is produced by immersing the cocoons in boiling water to kill the worms and spool the silk yarn, Ahimsa silk is manufactured by leaving the cocoons alone for seven to 10 days for the worm to mature and pierce its way out of the cocoons as moths. Advantage Karnataka Good connectivity and the distinction of being the largest producer of raw silk and also the largest exporter of silk and silk products in India has given Karnataka a definite edge over others states.


DC (http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/cities/bengaluru/silky-route-prosperity-508)

Coimbatore, Dec 1: The Chennai-based port and real estate developer Marg Ltd has signed a MoU with the Government of Karnataka for developing and operating various infrastructure projects in agri, rural infrastructure and agri industry domains in Karnataka with a total investment of Rs 4,000 crore in the next 5-7 years.

The MoU aims at providing different urban amenities in the rural areas of the state including cold storage, supply chain management and warehouses, the company informed the stock exchanges. It was signed on the occasion of Global Agribusiness and Food Processing Summit-2011 held in Bangalore.

The important components of the projects are Agri Business Investment Region in Belgaum/Mysore, Knowledge Hubs/Agri Innovation Clusters in Mysore/Belgaum, Agri-Port with related back-up area development in Uttara Kannada district, Provision of Urban Amenities in Rural Areas (PURA) social innovations at Mysore/Belgaum/Bijapur/Bellary etc.

Marg had earlier signed a MoU for developing Bellary and Bijapur airports.


The Hindu (http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/logistics/article2677568.ece?ref=wl_industry-and-economy)

Amidst protests, state inks MoU worth Rs 53,000 cr at agri meet

Press Trust Of India / Chennai/ Bangalore December 02, 2011, 0:00
Amidst protests by farmers against private investment in agriculture, Karnataka on Thursday signed MoUs with various companies envisaging a whopping investment of over Rs 53,000 crore in farm and allied sectors.

The agreements were inked at the state’s maiden global agribusiness and food processing summit here in the presence of Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda as the state sought to showcase opportunities in the areas.

Major investments include those from Harold Doan and Associates, Srei Infrastructure Finance (Rs 15,000 crore each), Wadhwan Mega Infrastructure (Rs 10,000 crore), Welspun Infratech (Rs 5,000 crore) and MARG Limited (Rs 4,000 crore).

The 31 companies, which signed the MoUs, proposed to invest in different areas, including agribusiness and post-harvest infrastructure, agro industrial clusters, floriculture, horticulture and food processing, totalling Rs 53,724.5 crore.

In addition, it was announced that State Bank of India has agreed to finance up to Rs 40,000 crore for agribusiness projects in the state. At the inaugural function, farmers raised slogans against the two-day meet, alleging pledging of thousands of acres of arable land to multinational and private companies by the government and highlighting the “adverse impact” on their entry into the farm sector.

Farmers staged a protest outside as well, and police kept a tight vigil and set up check-points along the route to the venue to keep them at bay. Noting that the Government has announced an integrated agri business development policy seeking to cover a large spectrum of nearly 300 projects in agricultural and allied sectors, the Chief Minister said there are concerns about the availability of land for implementation of this initiative.

“I can assure you that there will be no forcible acquisition of land,” Gowda said.

“We are making provisions that the lands which the farmers own can be used as an equity in the venture and this land would continue to be with the ownership of the farmer.”

The Chief Minister said the government has already identified 4,000 hectares from its land-bank and “we have also through our stakeholders’ meetings received good response with regard to farmers participating in agribusiness”.

“Impediments in the Land Reforms Act, APMC Act etc are being removed. We are also ensuring that only serious players are invited and not speculators or real estate agents,” he added. Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj and Corporate Affairs Minister M Veerappa Moily did not attend the inaugural function in view of the ongoing Parliament session and raging debate on Government’s move on allowing Foreign Direct Investment in multi-brand retail.

BS (http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/amidst-protests-state-inks-mou-worth-rs-53000-cr-at-agri-meet/457271/)

Karnataka woos Rs 1.10-lakh cr agribiz investments



http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/multimedia/dynamic/00853/BL03_KAR_AGRI_853903f.jpg
Securing up deals: Investors exchanging MoUs in the presence of the Chief Minister, Mr D.V. Sadananda Gowda, at the Global Agri-business and Food Processing Summit on Friday.
Inks 42 pacts at end of two-day food processing summit

BANGALORE, DEC. 2:
The Karnataka Government has signed 42 memoranda of understanding (MoUs) and has managed to attract investments to the tune of Rs 1.10 lakh crore at the two-day agri-business and food processing summit.

Announcing this on Friday, the Chief Minister, Mr D.V. Sadananda Gowda, said “I would like to mention that this summit is a culmination of several months of interactions, discussions, road shows and meetings with our valued potential investors and partners in this field.

“ I have had the pleasure of participating in some of them myself along with my colleagues and officers.”

The Government is implementing various programmes to increase the area, production and productivity of various crops in the State.

FOCUS ON LINKAGES

“At the end of the two-day summit, I am glad to announce that our industry partners have come forward positively, we have been assured an investment of Rs 35,488 crore for developing agri infrastructure and regions.”

Talking about apprehensions that the farmer groups have expressed with regard to holding agri-business summit, Mr Gowda said, “The focus that the summit brought is to providing effective linkages and upgraded technology for the farmers to move towards higher production and productivity.”

It is important to have backward and forward linkages with the processing, mechanisation and infrastructure industries to bring in a much larger value addition to the produce.

The same can be said for other related sectors such as sericulture, poultry, bee-keeping, fisheries, and animal husbandry.

“Mechanisation is the need of the hour and goes a long way for providing better quality, higher productivity and support to the farmers.

“Similarly, food processing industry needs the much needed enhancement in the value of the product and contributes enormously to the economic development of the state,” he added.

Mr Gowda said “In order to nurture both agriculture as well as agro-based industry, it is important to develop agri-infrastructure in the State.

This facilitates access, capacity building and technology up gradation to boost the agri and related sectors' growth for an integrated development.

The Hindu (http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/economy/article2681706.ece)

India Elected Chairman of Internation Sugar Council


India has been elected Chairman of International Sugar Council, an apex organisation of 88 countries dealing with development of sugar sector in the world. During its 40th meeting held in London today, the Council unanimously elected Dr. B.C. Gupta, Union Food Secretary as its next Chairman. His name was proposed by the European Union (EU) and seconded by Mauritius. Prime Minister of Fiji has elected Vice chairman of the Council.

Addressing the Council meeting at London, just after the election, Dr. Gupta stated that his top priority will be further development and stabilisation of sugar sector by adoption of activities like production of ethanol, developing appropriate technology for conversion of bagasse into ethanol and adopting modern agricultural practices for boosting cane production. He said, election of India as Chairman of International Sugar Council is recognition of India as a leading country in the sugar sector having production of 350 million tons of sugarcane and about 25 million tons of sugar. India is the second largest producer of sugar in the world after Brazil and the biggest consumer of sugar.

Dr.Gupta is credited with making efforts for introducing production of sugar from sugar beet in India. As a pilot project, 2000 hectares of saline land was brought under cultivation of sugar beet in Belgaum District of Karnataka. Taking a note of Dr Gupta’s contribution, the Council expressed hope that many more innovative projects would be taken up in sugar sector during his tenure. The International Sugar Council undertakes a number of activities in different parts of the world with a view to giving economic boost to the sugar sector.

The next meeting of the Council will be held in New Delhi during in April, 2012.

NCJ
(Release ID :78111)



Press Trust of India (GOVT of INDIA) (http://pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx?relid=78111)

Rs 17,000 cr for Krishna projects (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/Rs-17000-cr-for-Krishna-projects/articleshow/10965916.cms)
TNN | Dec 3, 2011, 07.42AM IST
BANGALORE: Karnataka has earmarked a whopping Rs 17,000 crore to spend in the next seven years to take up pending irrigation projects in the Krishna river valley to utilize its share of waters.

After an all-party meeting to discuss the progress of works in Krishna river basin, chief minister D V Sadananda Gowda told reporters on Friday that they would soon devise plans to increase the height of Almatti dam as suggested by the Krishna Waters Dispute Tribunal (KWDT).

Water resources minister Basavaraj Bommai said the third stage works were being executed at a fast pace to ensure utilization of its share of water. "About 5.30 lakh hectares will come under irrigation following the completion of the third stage of the project," he added.

In December 2010, KWDT-II had allocated the maximum share of 1001 tmc feet of water to Andhra Pradesh followed by 911 to Karnataka and 666 to Maharashtra. The tribunal, which was set up in 2004, also upheld the raising of the level of the Almatti Dam in Karnataka to 524 metres, which was opposed by Andhra Pradesh, and placed some restrictions on the three states in keeping with the dependabilities at which allocations have been made for next 47 years.

Opposition leaders Siddaramaiah and C Motamma, among others who attended the meeting, earlier suggested that there should be no delay in completion of all the ongoing irrigation projects.

Vijesh Kamath Bangalore, Nov 27, DHNS


Redistribution of existing subsidies to agriculture sector for shifting cropping pattern.
Incetives for organic farming, integrated pest management and integrated nutrient management.
Policy framework for creating viable markets for indigenous species like mango and jackfruit.
Initiation of region-specific livestock insurance policy.
Introcution of groundwater cess to fund groundwater recharge schemes.
Energy Conservation Building Code should be notified at state level.
Revision of design guidelines for stormwater drains to reduce flooding risk to zero percent.
Maintain data on annual tree plantation and removals in urban areas.


The State government will soon usher in a slew of policy intervention measures spanning across at least seven departments to mitigate the adverse impact of climate change.

A draft State Action Plan on Climate Change (SAPCC) has recommended a set of 54 policy remedial measures ranging from restructuring of power tariffs in agricultural sector to introduction of groundwater cess. The recommendations, which arrived after consultations with government departments, scientific institutions and experts, cover the departments of agriculture (including horticulture and animal husbandry), water resources, forestry and biodiversity, coastal zone management, energy, urban development and health. The role of agencies to implement the remedial measures has also been elaborated in the action plan prepared by Environment Management and Policy?Research Institute (EMPRI) under the Department of Forest, Ecology and Environment. After Rajasthan, Karnataka is the most vulnerable state in the country to climate change.

Some of the recommendations in the report would require major tinkering with present public policies of the government. For instance, the report suggests the establishment of a State-level body to review the possibility of prohibiting the use of groundwater for non-drinking and non-emergency purposes.

The 224-page report also suggests that the government should explore the possibility of formulating a pricing policy for use of irrigation water. (see box for other major recommendations) EMPRI Director General?R?M?N?Sahai said the final report would be submitted to the government after incorporating some suggestions provided by departments to the recommendations made in the draft. Later, the report will be sent to the Centre for its approval.

The State-level action plans are being prepared as a part of the announcement made by the Prime Minister’s Council on Climate Change in 2008 about the need to formulate a national action plan on climate change.

DHNS (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/207784/state-plans-climate-friendly-policies.html)

In search of good governance that can make the running of their businesses smooth, over 500 industrialists and business aspirants from Maharashtra’s border district of Sangli are set to expand or start businesses in northern Karnataka.



Reportedly, 600 acres of land has been identified in Kagwad, Lokur, Shedbal and Athani villages in Belgaum district of Karnataka. However, the industrialists said that no formalities have been initiated in earmarking or acquiring the land.



For the first time, over 250 small scale industrialists from the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) in Sangli have come together to form the Advantage Karnataka Industrial Association (AKIA), an independent body to be registered soon under the Societies Act, Karnataka.



The body has been inviting applications under a format called ‘Intent of Establishment of Industry in North Karnataka adjoining Maharashtra border of Sangli district’. On November 30, day one of organisation, over 300 forms were submitted, while on day two the number reached 450.


INDIAN EXPRESS (http://www.indianexpress.com/news/In-search-of--good-governance---Sangli-industrialists-to-cross-over-to-Karnataka/884068/)

MARG signs Rs 4,000 cr MoU with state

Chennai-based MARG Ltd has signed an Memorandum of Understanding with the Karnataka giovernment to develop and operate various projects and services in agriculture and rural infrastructure, and agri-industry domains in Karnataka. The projects will attract investments to the tune of Rs 4,000 crore over the next 5-7 years.

The Memorandum of Understanding was exchanged with Additional Chief Secretary Subir Hari Singh in presence of Chief Minister of Karnataka D V Sadananda Gowda on the on the occasion of Global Agribusiness and Food Processing Summit-2011 being held under Bounteous Karnataka.

The key development areas, facilities and services include setting up an Agri Business Investment Region (ABIR) at Belgaum/Mysore, knowledge hubs (KHs)/Agri-Innovation Clusters at Mysore/ Belgaum, agri-port with related backup area development in Uttar Kannad district and others.

As per the Memorandum of Understanding, MARG intends to commence commercial production as per implementation and investment plan and will provide employment to local people as per the Karnataka Industrial Policy 2009-14.

It will also promote local vendors for procurement of components and raw materials wherever possible.

The state Government will endeavor to provide the required infrastructure facilities such as land, water, pipeline, roads, power etc. at prevailing rates and as per prevailing government policy on completion of the approval formalities.

GRK Reddy, chairman & managing director, MARG Group, said, “We would strive to improve the agriculture and rural infrastructure facilities, and urban amenities in the rural areas in Karnataka.”

MARG has previously signed a Memorandum of Understanding for developing airport projects in Bellary and Bijapur under a Public Private Partnership with Karnataka.

The projects include terminal buildings, runways, control towers and access facilities cum utilities.

Development of facilities, amenities and other infrastructure like an aviation academy, exhibition / convention centre, business parks, shopping mall, flying club, theme / entertainment parks which would address the needs of the local population and tourists is also being planned.

http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/marg-signs-rs-4000-cr-moustate/457691/

The Netherlands keen to lend agri technology support to Karnataka government

The Netherlands is keen to lend agri technology support to Karnataka. Henk van Duijn, agricultural counsellor, ministry of economic affairs, agriculture and innovation, The Netherlands, who was present for the Global Agri-business and Food Processing Summit 2011 said that it had signed a pact to transfer technology from Dutch companies in agro practices and food processing, in October 2010. This year it is looking at opportunities to expand its presence in the state.

“The state which is recognised for its agricultural strength has also been on the Netherlands radar to provide the assistance,” he added.

Currently the Netherlands accounts for US$75 billion of agricultural exports and its imports in the sector are valued at US$50 billion. It is ranked second after the US for exports in agriculture. Therefore the country was looking to team up with the best companies in the area of agriculture. “We need to value-add and offer our expertise in the area of innovation to the developing world,” van Duijn said.

Providing details of the agriculture capability in the Netherlands, he said that the country accounted for 85 per cent of the seed potato worldwide. Even multinational companies like PepsiCo used this seed potato for its chips. It was the second-largest globally for tomato production. The country also accounted for 80 per cent of poultry processing, 70 per cent of cheese production and 50 per cent of potato processing equipment.

Further, the Netherlands also held leadership status in the world in bakery equipment, dairy cooperative and food processing.

“In the area of seed propagation, the country ranked 4th, 5th and 6th, globally. Even companies like Monsanto, Syngenta and Bayer had made strategic acquisitions in Netherlands-based seed companies to garner fast growth prospects in the field. The strengths in seed production will help farmers to maximise their revenue generation,” he said.

The Netherlands can also offer expertise in smart greenhouse, water-saving technologies, and energy-saving solutions to adhere to the requirements of climate change.

It is also known for its biological pest control techniques, which have helped farmlands increase the productivity by 25 per cent.

In addition to technology, the Netherlands has also lent its hand in retail through Spar stores.

With innovation in marketing methods being much sought after to gain access to international markets, the Netherlands has solutions in research and development to develop new products to comply with the demands of the consumer.

With the initiative focussing on skill development, he said that the Netherlands had commenced vocational education in Pune and Jaipur through horticulture training institutes.

Karnataka government could further enhance its association with the Netherlands for the overall development of agriculture sector, he added.

http://www.fnbnews.com/article/detnews.asp?articleid=30959&sectionid=1

Rs 316-cr Nabard aid for Karnataka rural infrastructure

The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (Nabard) has sanctioned Rs 315.81 crore as loan assistance to the Karnataka Government for building rural infrastructure in the districts.

The projects sanctioned are to cover rural roads, bridges, minor irrigation, rural godowns and construction of Raitha Sampark Kendras (RSKs).

According to a Nabard press release, these projects have been sanctioned at the project sanction committee meeting held on December 5, under the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF XVII) and the cumulative sanction to the State during 2011-12 stands at Rs. 315.81 crore. Implementation of 321 rural road projects with a total length of 1,036 km and 12 rural bridge projects with a length of 200 m is expected to benefit 29 districts connecting 1,206 villages with 450 marketing centres, besides generation of non-recurring employment to the tune of 72.85 lakh man days.

Implementation of 38 minor irrigation projects is also expected to bring 1,651 hectare under irrigation.

Implementation of 56 rural godowns is expected to create a storage capacity of 1.35 lakh tonnes.

Establishment of 68 Raitha Sampark Kendras is expected to benefit 4,000 villages.

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/economy/article2695643.ece?ref=wl_industry-and-economy

Karnataka plans to develop all ports on PPP basis (http://ibnlive.in.com/generalnewsfeed/news/karnataka-plans-to-develop-all-ports-on-ppp-basis/923800.html)

PTI | 06:12 PM,Dec 09,2011
Bangalore, Dec 9 (PTI): Karnataka Government today tabled in the Legislative Assembly a bill providing for developing all ports in the State on a Public Private Partnership basis. The Karnataka Maritime Board Act, 2011 was introduced by Minister for Ports and Inland Water Transport, Ecology and Environment, Fisheries and Science and Technology, J Krishna Palemar. The bill provides for constitution and functioning of the Maritime Board for the State. "The Board shall be in a position to find ways and means to undertake various developmental projects and maintenance activities in relation to ports, harbours, inland waterways and coastal protection and thus help in the growth and development of the coastal region and its hinterland", according to statement of objects and reasons for the bill. It also provides for development and maintenance of fishing harbours by the Board with suitable budgetary grants and subventions from the Government. "However, the operations and management of the fishing harbours shall continue to be done by the Fisheries Department and not by the Maritime Board", it was noted. Karnataka has a coast line of about 300 kms, dotted with 10 non-major ports, besides the major port in New Mangalore. These non-major ports, which include Karwar, Malpe harbour, Tadri and Old Mangalore, are currently managed by the Public Works Department through the Director of Ports and Inland Water Transport (IWT). PTI RS APR APR

SBI to expand its presence in Karnataka

State Bank of India (SBI), the country’s largest public sector lender is planning to expand its presence in Karnataka as it has a good number of entrepreneurs. The bank aims to meet their requirement in terms of specialized services such as medium enterprises, housing sector, etc.

The bank is likely to restructure its network in Karnataka to pay due attention to all areas in the state. The bank has a business of nearly Rs 1.40 lakh crore in the state, while it gets nearly 50% of its business from Bangalore.

read more:- http://www.bizxwires.com/?p=11541

Karnataka urges Centre to speed up construction of Nano institute

The Karnataka Government has urged the Centre to speed up construction of the Rs 100-crore Indian Institute of Nano Sciences and Technology being set in Bangalore.

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/multimedia/dynamic/00859/BL09_KAR_NANO_859225f.jpg

The Karnataka Science and Technology Minister, Mr Anand V. Asnotikar, at the fourth edition of Bangalore Nano, reading the Chief Minister, Mr D.V. Sadananda Gowda's speech copy, said “The civil works of the institute has been taken up and is being taken up by the Central Government at a cost of Rs 100 crore.

“The State Government has already allotted 14 acres of land on Tumkur road.

“I request the intervention of Prof C.N.R. Rao in moving the Department of Science and Technology (DST) to hasten the development work,” he added.

To give emphasis and for the promotion of nano technology in Karnataka, the State Government is planning to give an acre of land for setting up of ‘Nano Lab' by the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research in the neighbouring premises of Mahatma Gandhi Institute for Rural Energy and Development at Jakkur in Bangalore.

Mr Asnotikar said “For the Nano Park planned in the State, the Government is committed to involve private sector. Expression of interest has been called for it and the park will come up on a public-private-partnership mode.”

The Government is planning to locate the Nano Park near the Bangalore International Airport at Devanahalli.

“This initiative will give a major fillip to the nanotechnology sector in the state and create additional jobs like IT and biotech sector,” Mr Asnotikar said.

“The Government is committed to providing enhanced budgetary support for nano initiatives, such as those of the Vision Group on Science and Technology, in the forthcoming 2012-13 Budget, he added.

read more:- http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/economy/article2698742.ece

Bangalore, Dec 9, (PTI):

Karnataka Government today tabled in the Legislative Assembly a bill providing for developing all ports in the State on a Public Private Partnership basis.

The Karnataka Maritime Board Act, 2011 was introduced by Minister for Ports and Inland Water Transport, Ecology and Environment, Fisheries and Science and Technology, J Krishna Palemar.

The bill provides for constitution and functioning of the Maritime Board for the State.

"The Board shall be in a position to find ways and means to undertake various developmental projects and maintenance activities in relation to ports, harbours, inland waterways and coastal protection and thus help in the growth and development of the coastal region and its hinterland", according to statement of objects and reasons for the bill.

It also provides for development and maintenance of fishing harbours by the Board with suitable budgetary grants and subventions from the Government.

"However, the operations and management of the fishing harbours shall continue to be done by the Fisheries Department and not by the Maritime Board", it was noted.

Karnataka has a coast line of about 300 kms, dotted with 10 non-major ports, besides the major port in New Mangalore.

These non-major ports, which include Karwar, Malpe harbour, Tadri and Old Mangalore, are currently managed by the Public Works Department through the Director of Ports and Inland Water Transport (IWT).

DHNS (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/210438/karnataka-plans-develop-all-ports.html)

Udupi, Nov 30, DHNS

Udupi MLA and Chairman of subordinate committee of Karnataka Assembly Raghupathy Bhat urged that the apathy of the officials and government towards small scale industries needs to be eradicated by offering supportive measures of tax benefits and other facilities on par with major industries.

Speaking after inaugurating the one-day seminar on “Food processing units and interaction of small scale industries owners of Udupi and Dakshina Kannada districts,” jointly organised by Karnataka Small Scale Industries Association (KASSIA), Bangalore, Udupi District Small Industries Association, Manipal and District Industries Centre on Wednesday, Bhat said despite several tax benefits and deferment given to major industries in Karnataka, several industries have failed to discharge their social responsibilities or some of the laid down policies, he added.

Quoting the examples of West Coast Paper Mill in Dandeli and Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited (MRPL) in Mangalore, where he had visited heading the team of the committee, Bhat said that in spite of several benefits availed by the government, the paper mill unit in Dandeli has failed to discharge its social responsibilities. The responsibilities were shown only on papers and absolutely there is no benefit to the local people who have scarified their land or to the society.

He stressed that in the name of providing various benefits to the major industries, small industries should not be discouraged or neglected. Encouragement with proper benefits should be given to small scale industries sector to flourish, he said and added that serious thought should also be given to explore the opportunities in the horticulture and food processing as Udupi district has been identified as special zone by the government for food processing units, he said.

Deep displeasure

Speaking on the occasion, KASSIA President Prakash N Raikar expressed his deep displeasure over the gross negligence attitude shown by the ministers and the officials towards the problems faced by small scale industries. He said small scale industries sectors are considered as second major sector after agriculture. It is contributing 40 per cent to GDP besides offering 45 per cent employment opportunities. But it is most unfortunate that these industries are still treated as second class citizens, he regretted.

He urged the Central government branch of NIFTEM (National Institute for Food Technology Entrepreneurship Management) should be set up in Karnataka to accelerate the process of Food Industry Development.

He said that in fact, the basic axiom is that there is scope for food processing industries in every development block and if pursued with dexterity. Food processing will provide at least 1,000 processed food units in Karnataka in a period of two years which have multiplier effect of growth subsequently. Karnataka is endowed with 10 agro climatic regions with a wide variety of crops, cereals, pulses, commercial fruits and vegetables. Unfortunately, the processing that takes place is only of 5 per cent, he said.

According to estimation, more than 100 scientific and professional food consultants are available in Karnataka besides the existence of the internationally famous CFTRI, APEDA, CIMAP and Centre for Food Packaging which is not fully utilized for the development of food industries.

DHNS (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/208462/udupi-mla-flays-govt-apathy.html)

IT export Rs 3.41 trillion :Last 5 years

BANGALORE: Software products worth `3.41 lakh crore worth have been exported from the state in the last five years , the Legislative Council was informed.

In a written reply to Congress member R V Venkatesh, Minister for Higher Education and Information Technology Dr V S Acharya informed on Friday that as many as 484 IT companies were established in the state during the same period.

Also, employment to 1.50 lakh persons were generated in the same period, the minister stated.

The state government has taken several measures to attract IT investment in order to make the state the preferred destination for Information Technology.

Therefore, several pro-IT policies have been adopted to retain as well as attract new IT companies, Acharya detailed in the Council.

He continued: “The state government, which has planned to host another global investors meet in June next year, also plans to establish IT parks in tier-II cities of the state, including Hubli, Shimoga and Gulbarga, with necessary facilities.

Hubli-Dharwad continues to wait for JNNURM

With the Centre hinting at plans to include more cities under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM), it is perhaps time for the leaders from Karnataka in general and those from North Karnataka in particular to bat for the inclusion of Hubli-Dharwad under the scheme.

While Dharwad MP Prahlad Joshi is raising the issue in Parliament in a bid to get the the twin-cities included under the mission, the fact remains that the Planning Commissioner has rejected the government’s proposal to include 28 cities having a population of half a million under JNNURM citing resource constraints.

Minister of State for Urban Development Sugata Roy had stated in Lok Sabha that the ministry had proposed to include 28 cities or urban agglomerations with a population of half a million and above under the Urban Infrastructure and Governance (UIG) of JNNURM and “on account of resource constraints, the Planning Commission did not agree to include these cities under UIG of JNNURM”.

The cities proposed top be included include Guntur, Warangal, Bhavnagar, Jamnagar, Belgaum, Mangalore and Hubli-Dharwad, Durg-Bhilai Nagar, Kozhikode, Gwalior, Amravati, Bhiwandi, Aurangabad, Kolhapur, Solapur, Cuttack, Jalandhar, Bikaner, Jodhpur, Kota, Salem, Tiruppur, Tiruchirappalli, Aligarh, Bareilly, Ghaziabad, Gorakhpur and Moradabad.

The twin city missed the best chance to be included under JNNURM by a whisker and Mysore had replaced Hubli-Dharwad. The political parties had blamed each other for the non-inclusion of Hubli-Dharwad saying there was no proposal from the state government for inclusion of Hubli-Dharwad. While the Congress claimed it had recommended the inclusion of the twin city along with Bangalore and Mysore, the BJP alleged that there was no scope for inclusion of three cities from a state and the lapse deprived Hubli-Dharwad of the opportunity of being developed under JNNURM.

UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi during the assembly elections in 2008 had promised to include Hubli-Dharwad under the mission and nothing happened after that. The MPs from Karnataka who are ministers in the Union Cabinet should do everything possible to get Hubli-Dharwad included in the project. Hubli-Dharwad is emerging as the second cultural and commercial hub of Karnataka and JNNURM could change the face of the twin city completely.

If included, Hubli-Dharwad could get assistance to the tune of Rs 500 crore over a period of seven years and develop the infrastructure. This would enable it to attract investments and create employment opportunities.

http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/hubli-dharwad-continues-to-wait-for-jnnurm/458207/

Karnataka's coast: Sun, surf and next engine of growth (http://www.dnaindia.com/bangalore/report_karnataka-s-coast-sun-surf-and-next-engine-of-growth_1624594)


The Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FKCCI) says the coastal region could be the next engine of growth for the state.

FKCCI president JR Bangera said the state government should consider the coastal areas for the next phase of growth, particularly in trade, industry, commerce and tourism.

“For the region to become the next engine of growth, the state should take up infrastructure development urgently. The coast has everything—airport and sea port at Mangalore, railway connectivity, an intricate network of national and state highways, water resources and well-educated, highly skilled and resourceful workforce,” Bangera said.

But the connectivity between Bangalore–Mangalore–Mysore is bad, particularly on the Sampaje–Maani and Shirady BC Road sector on Mangalore–Mysore and Bangalore–Mangalore sectors respectively.

The chief minister had agreed to urgently take up the infrastructure upgradation process as well as creating new facilities, Bangera said.

Talks are on with a French company to create a world-class warehousing facility at Buntwal, like the one in Panvel in Maharashtra. The Panvel facility is helping Mumbai port in the speedy clearance of containerised export material.

The facility planned in Buntwal will give an edge to the New Mangalore Port in handling exports from the hinterland, which includes Bangalore and Mysore.

“Coffee exports from the coffee belt of Karnataka are being gradually diverted to the New Mangalore port from Chikmagalur, Kodagu and Hassan. This belt has more than 80,000 tons of export potential, but owing to bad roads, most of it is being sent via Tuticorin and Chennai ports. When the Sampaje –Maani state highway is converted into a four-lane facility, all that will be diverted to Mangalore,” Bangera pointed out.

We must use our own state port :)

SBI Mangalore main branch tops Rs 1,000-cr in business

MANGALORE, DEC. 12:
The Mangalore main branch of State Bank of India (SBI) has crossed a business of Rs 1,000 crore, according to Mr B.G. Sadashiva, Assistant General Manager, SBI Main Branch, Mangalore.

He said that the Mangalore main branch of SBI is the only SBI branch outside Bangalore city limits in Karnataka to reach the business level of Rs 1,000 crore.

The main branch in Mangalore was opened on October 1, 1869, and is the oldest bank branch in Mangalore city. At that time, it was known as Bank of Madras.

Speaking to Business Line, Mr Sadashiva said that it is a significant achievement to reach Rs 1,000crore business. The branch does not have major corporate accounts. Mainly retail and SME (small and medium enterprises) accounts contribute to a significant share of the advances. The NRI (non-resident Indian) segment contributes a major portion to the total deposits of the branch, he said.

The share of deposits to the total business stood at around Rs 800 crore. This included NRI and retail deposits.

He said retail loans, such as housing and car loans, and SME advances have around 50:50 share in the total advances portfolio of the branch.

The branch celebrated its landmark achievement on December 10, in the presence of Mr Ashwini Mehra, Chief General Manager, Local Head Office, SBI, Bangalore, he said.

Stating that the bank has set up a customer service centre in Mangalore city, Mr Sadashiva said customers can make cash deposits up to Rs 10,000 to any of the branches of any bank from this customer service centre. This is the first customer service centre of the bank in Dakshina Kannada district. Plans are afoot to open three more customer service centres in the city, he added.

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/banking/article2709616.ece?homepage=true&ref=wl_home

CONCOR goods rake from Bangalore to Mangalore

BANGALORE:The Container Corporation of India (CONCOR) will run a goods rake from their Inland Container Depot (ICD) at Whitefield in Bangalore to the New Mangalore Port from December 16. This rake will mostly carry coffee and granite to begin with and then move to other cargo.
The announcement was made by South, CONCOR, chief general manager Raveen K Reddy at a trade meet organised by the New Mangalore Port Trust in association with the Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry in Bangalore.

Reddy also announced plans for another Inland Container Depot which would come up in Nanjangud area of Mysore district for which CONCOR has earmarked 50 acres belonging to the KIADB.

“We did a survey last week, the potential is good. We shall run a weekly train to Mangalore from the new ICD as well,” he said.

Highlighting the new initiatives taken by the NMPT, chairman P Tamilvanan said: “We have 11 rail lines this year, we are also giving Rs 20 crore to the state to expand NH 17 near the port. Our container traffic has increased by 20 per cent this year and currently stands at 32,500 containers this year.”

He also announced plans to introduce Enterprise Resource Planning methods in the port after current finetuning is completed.
“For the first time in India, we have also introduced biometric systems for labour booking as well,” he added.

The NMPT was affected by the ban on Iron Ore, but is shifting focus to other cargoes like coal, coke and granite of which it handled 92,000 tonnes this year.

Highlighting the poor road connectivity between Bangalore and Mangalore in sections between Sampaje and Mani, FKCCI president J R Bangera stated that talks with the state government were fruitful and `6 crore was allotted from the state fund for development of roads.
“An amount of Rs 138 crore has also been allotted for road widening projects and these will be taken up soon, Sampaje to Mani stretch will be completed by March 2012, the government has assured,” he said.

http://ibnlive.in.com/news/concor-goods-rake-from-bangalore-to-mangalore/211164-60-115.html

The Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FKCCI) says the coastal region could be the next engine of growth for the state.

FKCCI president JR Bangera said the state government should consider the coastal areas for the next phase of growth, particularly in trade, industry, commerce and tourism.

“For the region to become the next engine of growth, the state should take up infrastructure development urgently. The coast has everything—airport and sea port at Mangalore, railway connectivity, an intricate network of national and state highways, water resources and well-educated, highly skilled and resourceful workforce,” Bangera said.

But the connectivity between Bangalore–Mangalore–Mysore is bad, particularly on the Sampaje–Maani and Shirady BC Road sector on Mangalore–Mysore and Bangalore–Mangalore sectors respectively.

The chief minister had agreed to urgently take up the infrastructure upgradation process as well as creating new facilities, Bangera said.

Talks are on with a French company to create a world-class warehousing facility at Buntwal, like the one in Panvel in Maharashtra. The Panvel facility is helping Mumbai port in the speedy clearance of containerised export material.

The facility planned in Buntwal will give an edge to the New Mangalore Port in handling exports from the hinterland, which includes Bangalore and Mysore.

“Coffee exports from the coffee belt of Karnataka are being gradually diverted to the New Mangalore port from Chikmagalur, Kodagu and Hassan. This belt has more than 80,000 tons of export potential, but owing to bad roads, most of it is being sent via Tuticorin and Chennai ports. When the Sampaje –Maani state highway is converted into a four-lane facility, all that will be diverted to Mangalore,” Bangera pointed out.
http://cdn.dnaindia.com/images/710/logo-dna.gif (http://www.dnaindia.com/bangalore/report_karnataka-s-coast-sun-surf-and-next-engine-of-growth_1624594)

79 Industries to be set up in Chickballapur

Minister for Medium and Large Industries Murugesh Nirani told N. Sampangi (Congress) during Question Hour in the Legislative Assembly that 79 large and medium industries would be established in Chickballapur district, involving an investment of Rs. 21,094.07 crore.

Mr. Sampangi alleged that Mr. Nirani had been misleading the House by providing three-year-old answer and said required lands had not been acquired following a stay order from the court. Mr Nirani said compensation amounting Rs. 16 crore had been given to famers.

Turmeric prices crash

Prices of turmeric crashed from Rs. 18,000 to Rs. 3,000 a quintal this year owing to increase in the crop area as well as good yield, Minister for Agriculture Umesh Katti told the Legislative Assembly.

Replying to a question of Srikanth Kulkarni of the BJP during Zero Hour, Mr. Katti said the Centre had fixed the Minimum Support Price for turmeric at Rs. 3,500 a quintal. The State's production was up from 93,000 tonnes in 2010-11 to Rs. 3.33 lakh tonnes in 2011-12, the Minister said.

As per the norms of the Centre, the produce would be procured from growers, Mr Katti said.

Paramashivaiah report

The Government would soon take action on the Paramashivaiah Committee report on diverting the West-flowing rivers to provide drinking water to drought-prone districts of Kolar, Tumkur, Chickballapur, Bangalore Rural and Ramanagaram, Minister for Water Resources Basavaraj Bommai told V. Muniyappa (Congress).

A sum of Rs. 22.50 crore had been set aside for preparing detailed reports.

Compensation

Chief Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda told Ramanath Rai (Congress) that the Government would consider increasing compensation from Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 1 lakh for family members of three local youth who were swept away near Panemangalore when the water level in the Netravati swelled all of a sudden, last week. The compensation would be given under humanitarian grounds, he said.

http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-karnataka/article2710501.ece

NMPT bid to lure hinterland cargo

With improved infrastructure and extending the railway line across the port, the New Mangalore Port Trust (NMPT) has begun to woo exporters from hinterland especially from Bangalore, Mysore, Davangere and Hubli.

Rail connectivity

Interacting with the exporters in Bangalore, organised by the Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FKCCI), Mr P. Tamilvanan, Chairman of the NMPT, said “At the port, six additional railway lines have been provided at the marshalling yard and one line is extended up to the wharf area. With this infrastructure improvement in the port, we are now fully accessible to the hinterland.

“The port had also seen infrastructure boost by way of illumination, biometric system of labour booking. Investment in this we now expect good amount of traffic with the commencement of traffic through HMRD line connecting Bangalore and Mangalore,” he added.

Box volume

Targeting business in and around Bangalore, Mr Tamilvanan said since “Bangalore has many industries which are into import and export business and large volumes of containerised cargo is being generated, it would be convenient to transport the same to Mangalore.”

Traffic

The traffic at NMPT has grown by 319 per cent to touch 40,148 TEUs during 2010-11 from 9646 TEUs in 2005-06. There had been about 20 per cent growth from last year.

Speaking at the meet, Mr TSN Murthy, Deputy Chairman, NMPT, said the port has got ISO 14001 certification from IRQS. This certification has helped the port for handling coal for UPCL thermal plant by which handling has become eco-friendly and economical. Mr J.R. Bangera, FKCCI President, said despite the several initiatives at NMPT, bulk of our cargo is still exported through ports outside Karnataka.

Vessel calling

Now the port authorities have addressed the connectivity with hinterland.

According to Mr Tamilvanan “Now the frequency of container vessels calling at the port had increased to one vessel in every week, which will help the trade to move their cargo faster to the respective destinations as less ocean freight charges.

“Arrival of main line vessels from West Africa has benefited the trade. The advantage main line vessel directly calling at the port in Mangalore is the lesser transit time and lesser handling cost,” he added.

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/logistics/article2712104.ece

Concor eyes Mysore to set up inland container depot

BANGALORE, DEC. 13:
Container Corporation of India (Concor) is planning to set up an inland container depot (ICD) at Nanjangud near Mysore.

About 50 acres of land has been identified by the Karnataka Industries Area Development Board (KIADB) between Mysore and Nanjangud.

“Officials of Concor and South Western Railways (SWR) inspected the area and have submitted the proposal to the Ministry for setting up the ICD,” said Mr Raveen K. Reddy, Chief General Manager, Concor, Southern Region, told Business Line.

“We have taken the decision to locate the second ICD near Mysore only after seeing SWR operating two goods rake a week to Mangalore port,” Mr Reddy added.

Currently the city generates rail based freight traffic through companies such as Nestle, ABB, ATS, Ranga Rao & Sons and ITC etc.

TERMINALS

Mr Reddy said “We have since extended the network to a total of 61 terminals, of which 18 are export-import container depots, and 13 exclusive domestic container depots and as many as 30 terminals perform the combined role of domestic as well as international terminals.” When Concor sets up ICD near Mysore, it will be third in the State after Whitefield near Bangalore and the other in Desur Railway Station, Desur near Belgaum.

NEW SERVICE PLANNED

Talking about Concor in Bangalore, Mr Reddy said “We are planning to run a goods rake from their ICD located at Whitefield in Bangalore to the New Mangalore Port from December 16.

The initial rake will be to transport coffee and granite and then move to other cargo,” explained Mr Reddy.

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/logistics/article2712267.ece

ಮೂಲ ಸೌಕರ್ಯಕ್ಕೆ ರೂ. 263 ಕೋಟಿ

ಬಾಗಲಕೋಟೆ: ಬಾಗಲಕೋಟೆ ನಗರಕ್ಕೆ ಮುಂದಿನ 25 ವರ್ಷಗಳಿಗೆ ವಿವಿಧ ಮೂಲ ಸೌಕರ್ಯ ಒದಗಿಸುವ ಸಂಬಂಧ ವಿಶ್ವಬ್ಯಾಂಕಿನಿಂದ ಒಟ್ಟು ಮೂರು ಹಂತದಲ್ಲಿ ರೂ. 253, 54 ಕೋಟಿ ಹಣ ಹರಿದುಬರಲಿದೆ.

ವಿಶ್ವ ಸಂಸ್ಥೆಯ ನೋಡೆಲ್ ಏಜೆನ್ಸಿಯಾಗಿರುವ ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ ನಗರ ಮೂಲ ಸೌಕರ್ಯ ಅಭಿವೃದ್ಧಿ ಮತ್ತು ಹಣಕಾಸು ಸಂಸ್ಥೆಯು(ಕೆಯುಐಡಿಎಫ್*ಸಿ) ವ್ಯಾಪಕೋಸ್ ಸಂಸ್ಥೆ ಸಹಯೋಗದೊಂದಿಗೆ ಬಾಗಲಕೋಟೆ ನಗರದ ಮೂಲ ಸೌಕರ್ಯ ಕುರಿತು 2033ನೇ ಇಸವಿ ವರೆಗಿನ ಬೇಡಿಕೆ ಅನುಸಾರ ಸಿದ್ಧಪಡಿಸಿರುವ ಕ್ರಿಯಾಯೋಜನೆಗೆ ನಗರಸಭೆ ಈಗಾಗಲೇ ಅನುಮೋದನೆ ನೀಡಿದೆ.

ಈಗಿರುವ ಬಾಗಲಕೋಟೆ ನಗರದ 1,12 ಲಕ್ಷ ಜನಸಂಖ್ಯೆ 2033ನೇ ಇಸವಿಗೆ 1,52 ಲಕ್ಷವಾಗುವ ನಿರೀಕ್ಷೆ ಹಿನ್ನೆಲೆಯಲ್ಲಿ 2009 ರಿಂದ 13ರ ವರೆಗೆ ಮೊದಲ ಹಂತ, 2014ರಿಂದ 18ರ ವರಗೆ ಎರಡನೇ ಹಂತ ಮತ್ತು 2019ರಿಂದ 33ರ ವರೆಗೆ ಮೂರನೇ ಹಂತದ ಯೋಜನೆ ಸಿದ್ಧಪಡಿಸಲಾಗಿದೆ.

ಮೂರು ಹಂತ ಒಳಗೊಂಡಂತೆ ನೀರು ಸರಬರಾಜಿಗೆ ರೂ.18,07 ಕೋಟಿ, ಒಳಚರಂಡಿ ಮತ್ತು ನೈರ್ಮಲೀಕರಣಕ್ಕಾಗಿ ರೂ.15,65 ಕೋಟಿ, ಘನತ್ಯಾಜ್ಯ ನಿರ್ವಹಣೆಗೆ ರೂ.7,99ಕೋಟಿ, ಮಳೆ ನೀರು ಚರಂಡಿ ಮಾರ್ಗ ನಿರ್ಮಾಣಕ್ಕೆ ರೂ.30,06 ಕೋಟಿ, ವಾಹನ ಸಂಚಾರ ಮತ್ತು ಸಾರಿಗೆಗೆ ರೂ.27,85ಕೋಟಿ, ಬೀದಿ ದೀಪಗಳ ಸೇವೆಗೆ 10,29 ಕೋಟಿ, ಸಾಮಾಜಿಕ ಸೌಕರ್ಯ (ಸಮುದಾಯ ಭವನ, ಕಸಾಯಿಖಾನೆ, ಉದ್ಯಾನವನ) ಒದಗಿಸಲು 1,60ಕೋಟಿ ಸೇರಿದಂತೆ ಒಟ್ಟು 263,54 ಕೋಟಿ ಹಣ ವಿನಿಯೋಗವಾಗಲಿದೆ.
ಕೊರತೆಗಳು: ವ್ಯಾಪಕೋಸ್ ಸಂಸ್ಥೆ ತಯಾರಿಸಿರುವ ವರದಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಪ್ರಸ್ತುತ ಬಾಗಲಕೋಟೆ ನಗರವು ಎದುರಿಸುತ್ತಿರುವ ಪ್ರಮುಖ ಕೊರತೆಗಳನ್ನು ಗುರುತಿಸಲಾಗಿದೆ.

ನೀರು ಸರಬರಾಜಿನ ಕೊರತೆ, ಒಳಚರಂಡಿ ವ್ಯವಸ್ಥೆಯ ಕೊರತೆ, ಸೂಕ್ತ ಚರಂಡಿ ವ್ಯವಸ್ಥೆಯ ಕೊರತೆ ಮತ್ತು ಘನತ್ಯಾಜಗಳ ಸಂಗ್ರಹಣೆ ಮತ್ತು ವಿಲೇವಾರಿಗೆ ಸೂಕ್ತ ಕ್ರಮಗಳ ಕೊರತೆ ಹಾಗೂ ಉದ್ಯಾನವನ ಮತ್ತು ಆಟದ ಮೈದಾನಗಳಿಗೆ ಸ್ಥಳಾವಕಾಶದ ಕೊರತೆ ಕಂಡುಬರುತ್ತಿರುವುದಾಗಿ ವರದಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಪ್ರಸ್ತಾಪಿಸಲಾಗಿದೆ.

ನಗರಸಭೆ ಅನುಮೋಧನೆ: ಈ ಕುರಿತು `ಪ್ರಜಾವಾಣಿ`ಯೊಂದಿಗೆ ಮಾತನಾಡಿದ ನಗರಸಭೆ ಪೌರಾಯುಕ್ತ ಬಿ.ಎ.ಶಿಂಧೆ, ಬಾಗಲ ಕೋಟೆ ನಗರವು ಆಲಮಟ್ಟಿ ಜಲಾಶಯದ ಹಿನ್ನೀರಿನಿಂದ ಮುಳುಗಡೆಯಾಗಿ ಮೂರು ಭಾಗವಾಗಿ ಬೆಳೆಯುತ್ತಿರುವುದರಿಂದ ಸಾಮಾನ್ಯ ವಾಗಿ ಇತರೆ ನಗರ, ಪಟ್ಟಣಗಳಂತೆ ಇರದೇ ವಿಭಿನ್ನ ರೀತಿಯ ಬೆಳವಣಿಗೆ ಯಾಗುತ್ತಿ ರುವುದರಿಂದ ಸಾಕಷ್ಟು ಸಮಸ್ಯೆಗಳಿದ್ದು, ಬಾಗಲಕೋಟೆ ನಗರಕ್ಕೆ ವಿಶೇಷ ವರದಿ ತಯಾರಿಸಿ ಸರ್ಕಾರದ ಗಮನಕ್ಕೆ ತಂದು ಮಂಜೂರು ಪಡೆಯಲು ನಗರಸಭೆ ನಿರ್ಣಯವನ್ನು ಅಂಗೀಕರಿಸಿದೆ ಎಂದು ತಿಳಿಸಿದರು.

ಅಕ್ಟೋಬರ್ 12ರಂದು ನಡೆದ ನಗರಸಭೆ ಸಾಮಾನ್ಯ ಸಭೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ವ್ಯಾಪಕೋಸ್ ಸಂಸ್ಥೆ 25 ವರ್ಷಗಳ ಬೇಡಿಕೆ ಅನುಸಾರ ಸಿದ್ಧಪಡಿಸಿರುವ ಕ್ರಿಯಾಯೋಜನೆಗೆ ಮಂಜೂರು ಪಡೆಯಲಾಗಿದೆ ಎಂದರು.

http://www.prajavani.net/web/include/story.php?news=54977&section=164&menuid=10

Swedish truck co Scania to set up plant in State
(http://www.deccanherald.com/content/212011/swedish-truck-co-scania-set.html)

Sweden’s truck major Scania Commercial Vehicles India Private Limited, on Thursday, said that it plans to expand its presence in India, by setting up its independent production facility in Karnataka by 2013.

http://www.deccanherald.com/images/editor_images1/2011/12/15/truck-250.jpg

Speaking to Deccan Herald, Scania India Managing Director Henrik Fagrenius said that the company is in the planning phase of finalising the land for the plant, without disclosing the details of investment.

Scania, which has been in a dealership agreement with construction major Larsen & Toubro (L&T) since 2007, has decided to build the facility from where it would assemble its products and sell it in the Indian market. “Till date, the company has sold around 650 18-axle mining trucks, each with a capacity of over 25 tonne, through the agreement with L&T,” Fagrenius said.

“Most of these trucks are being used by the mining industry, along with some of them finding buyers in the construction business as well,” Fagrenius added. Considering India as a major market, he opined that with ample reserves of minerals such as coal and iron ore in the country, there is enough scope for Scania to market its trucks here. Besides, with the promise of better infrastructure in the future, eventually, the company could contemplate rolling out many of its other state-of-the-art products, which include different kinds of trucks for both off-road and inter-city use, buses and engines.

The new facility would assemble off-road long haulage trucks, and also buses. “There are many upcoming sectors requiring these products for transportation purposes. Besides, the buses would find a market among all areas: inter-city, tour operators, airports and so on,” he said, adding that the dealership with L&T would continue. Once the facility is completed, Scania plans to annually roll out 2,000 trucks and 1,000 buses by 2015, Fagrenius said. He added, “Scania would look at employing local talent in this venture, which would be trained to assemble the products that would arrive from Europe in knocked-down kits. We would also train the local staff in the after-sales service.”

NMDC, Russian firm to set up 3m-tonne steel plant in Bellary (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/212110/nmdc-russian-firm-set-up.html)


India’s state-owned NMDC Limited and Russia’s OAO Severstal may on Friday sign the final agreement to float a joint venture company in order to set up a three million tonne per annum steel plant in Bellary in Karnataka.

The NMDCL-Severstal agreement is one of the business deals likely to be clinched during Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s visit to Moscow to give a boost to bilateral economic relations, which, both the countries agree, are still far below the potential. The NMDCL and Severstal signed a MoU in December 2010 to jointly set up the steel plant, which would require a capital expenditure of Rs 19,000 crore and would be funded with a 70:30 debt equity ratio. The prime minister reached Moscow on Thursday. He and his Russian counterpart President Dmitry Medvedev are likely to hold the 12th annual summit on Friday. Before leaving New Delhi, Singh said that he and Medvedev would discuss “mechanisms to further expand our bilateral cooperation, particularly in the trade, economic and commercial fields.” The two leaders will also jointly address the business leaders from both the countries after the summit on Friday. Incidentally, Russia is also likely to formally join the World Trade Organisation on Friday. Foreign Secretary Ranjan Mathai told journalists that the Joint Study Group set up by New Delhi and Moscow to discuss about the possibility of a bilateral Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement or CECA “would be able to make very concrete progress” after Russia joined the WTO. To make it easier for business people to visit each other’s country, Russia and India put in place a simplified visa regime that came into effect on December 1 last. New Delhi and Moscow are also studying possibility of setting up a Joint Investment Fund. The volume of the India-Russia bilateral trade is expected to be around US $ 9 billion this year, but New Delhi and Moscow set a target of US $ 20 billion by 2015 and identified the key sectors like pharmaceuticals, IT, food products and gems for emphasis to attain the target.

The State Government has set a target to increase the area under sericulture from 1.55 lakh acres to 2 lakh acres in the next few years.

Speaking after presenting awards to 208 progressive sericulture farmers and reelers here on Saturday, Minister for Sericulture B.N. Bache Gowda said incentives would be given to farmers to encourage them to bring more area under sericulture.

Nearly 49,000 sericulture farmers had been given cash incentive under the Suvarna Bhoomi scheme this year, he added.

Plans had been formulated to encourage sericulture in non-traditional areas. Owing to urbanisation and industrialisation, a lot of land had been lost in the traditional sericulture areas of the State.

Karnataka accounted for 45 per cent of the total silk production in the country. Sericulture was already being taken up in some districts of north Karnataka, he said.

The State produces 7,500 tonnes of silk a year and manufactures silk clothes worth Rs. 9 crore a year.

On import of silk from China, he said the country produced 21,000 tonnes of silk against the demand of 30,000 tonnes a year. Private organisations imported silk from China. Powerloom operators in India preferred Chinese silk, he said.

The Government had urged the Centre to increase import duty on silk from 5 per cent to 31 per cent to generate demand for domestic silk. Reduction of duty was one of the major reasons for crash in prices of cocoons from Rs. 300 to Rs 150 this year, he added.

The Minister felicitated 121 and 87 sericulture growers and releers selected for 2008-09 and 2009-10, respectively.

SMS

To provide information to farmers on the prevailing cocoon prices in the markets, the department has launched an SMS facility.

The farmers can get information about the prices by sending SMS to 9243355223 in the following format “CMP1” or “CMP2” or “CMP3”.

The Hindu (http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/article2726188.ece)

Source-http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/karnataka-will-setspecialised-agency-to-speedppp-projects/459008/
The state aims to hike spending on infrastructure from 3.2% of Gross State Domestic Product to 8-9% during the Twelfth Plan.

Karnataka state, which presently invests 3.2 per cent of its gross state domestic product (GSDP) on infrastructure development, has set an ambitious target of increasing this to 8-9 per cent of GSDP during the 12th five year plan period. The state’s GDP was an estimated Rs 328,000 crore in 2010-11.

“Our vision in the realm of infrastructure development is to achieve the twin objective of high growth and equity by enabling access to safe and affordable infrastructure services for the people of Karnataka,” D V Sadananda Gowda, chief minister of Karnataka, said.

Delivering his key-note address at the second annual Business Standard Infrastructure Round Table 2011, he said the government has given utmost priority to infrastructure development and has adopted a holistic focus that has led to development of mega projects across the state.

The role of the private sector and the community is emphasised in the overall development of the state. The mode of implementation of projects in Karnataka is gradually shifting from government-sponsored to public-private partnership (PPP) — a win-win situation for all stakeholders.

Gowda said 105 infrastructure projects are being undertaken through the PPP format. These are at various stages of development and involve an investment of Rs 80,946 crore.

“There have been challenges in implementing PPP projects. Some concerns have been expressed by developers. At every step we have taken corrective measures to address these concerns. The state is giving a new life to the PPP format,” he said.

Explaining the measures initiated by the government to give a fillip to infrastructure in the state, he said the government is moving the Infrastructure Bill, which provides for the constitution of an Infrastructure Authority that would expedite the development of infrastructure projects in PPP formats.

“To provide viability gap funding for infrastructure projects, we have also introduced a VGF scheme for the state. We will involve leading transaction advisors to make an Infrastructure Investment Plan for Karnataka which will serve as the Master Plan. Transaction advisors will also help in identifying projects and build the capacity of government officials involved in implementing PPP projects. We are confident that these initiatives would definitely help in boosting the economic growth of the state,” Gowda said.

Gowda announced that the work on building minor airports at Shimoga and Gulbarga would be completed and the airports made operational by next July. Other major projects in the pipeline include an all-weather Greenfield port at Tadadi, a gas pipeline between Dabhol and Bangalore, city gas distribution for Bangalore, an integrated bulk water supply system and distribution schemes in many districts, a Intermodal Transit Centre at Subhashnagar and a Traffic and Transport Management Centre at Hebbal in Bangalore.

In addition to improving air connectivity, the government is also taking steps to improve rail connectivity in the state. Projects involving investments totalling Rs 24,000 crore are being undertaken, which include 2,137 km of new railway lines. Gauge conversion and doubling of lines are also being undertaken, the chief minister said.

“In this regard, we had a detailed meeting with the ministry of railways and I am happy to share that three new railway lines — Gadag to Wadi, Kengeri to Chamrajnagar and Srinivaspura to Madanapalle — have been approved. On completion of these projects, the rail density, which is measured in number of kilometers of rail line per thousand square kilometer of area, would increase from the existing 16 to 23,” he said.

Bangalore recently witnessed the launch of commercial operations of one stretch of phase-I of Namma Metro from Baiyyappanahalli to M G Road. In-principle approval for phase-II has also been received.

The state is well connected to its neighbouring states and other parts of India and the world through road, rail and air. With 14 national highways, the state accounts for six per cent of the total national highway network in the country. Inter-state road connectivity is primarily by way of the 114 state highways.

With the development of industrial corridors under the Suvarna Karnataka Development Corridor programme, industrial nodes and industrial areas along national highways will emerge. Overall development is proposed to cover regions that spread over Bangalore to Bidar via Bellary, Tumkur to Honnavar via Shimoga and Chitradurga to Mangalore via Udupi, Gowda said.

“Core infrastructure such as energy, road and rail linkages, inland container depots, free trade zones and urban infrastructure would be benefited by this corridor, making a significant impact on Karnataka’s economic growth,” he added.

del

Sadhan K. Ghosh, Chairman of Consultative Committee for Better Solid Waste Management in West Bengal, said on Thursday that the country was producing 50 million tonnes of solid waste every year.

Mr. Ghosh, who is also the coordinator at the Centre for Quality Management System, Jadhavpur University, told presspersons here that it was possible to generate 2,000 MW of power from this waste.

Udupi secured the first place among the towns having a population between one and three lakh in solid waste management in the country. Towns and cities had been divided into three categories with regard to solid waste management.

The three categories were towns with a population below one lakh, towns with a population between one and three lakh, and cities with a population above three lakh. Karnataka was in the top position in the country in solid waste management, he said.

An international conference on solid waste management would be held in Mysore on July 16, 2012. Representatives from 11 countries would participate in it, he said.

Nearly 800 delegates from the country and abroad would participate in the conference. As living standards of people were going up, solid waste generated was also increasing.

The aim of the international conference was to focus on reducing plastic waste every year and bringing it down to zero, Mr. Ghosh said.

The Hindu (http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-karnataka/article2719633.ece)

* To enable govt to identify safer zones for relocating units

The Assembly on Thursday approved the Karnataka Regulation of Stone Crushers Bill, 2011, which seeks to regulate stone crushing operation by identifying safer zones across the State.
The ordinance replacement bill, which met with stiff resistance from the Opposition parties on Wednesday, proposes to enable the government to identify safer zones for relocating stone crushing units that are causing heavy damage to environment.

The Opposition parties had raised objections to the bill, saying guidelines issued by the High Court of Karnataka in identifying safer zones had not been followed.

Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister S Suresh Kumar, who piloted the bill, said the court guidelines were practically impossible to follow.

Hence, on the recommendation of a high-level committee headed by Justice R Gururajan, the government has decided to enact a legislation so that some relaxation can be sought under exceptional circumstances.

The High Court had, in 1998, directed the State government to identify “safe zones” for locating stone-crushing units and had stipulated certain strict guidelines.

The High Court order was later upheld by the Supreme Court.

As per the High Court guidelines, safe zones should be two km away from the national highways, habitats, temples, schools and rivers, 1.5 km from the state highways, 500 metres from a link road, eight km from the municipal corporations, four km from the district headquarters and two km from the taluk headquarters.

The Law Minister assured the House that the government would incorporate all suggestions given by the members, while framing the rules.

The bill was finally approved with a voice vote. Earlier in the day, Suresh Kumar held a meeting with leaders of the Congress and the JD(S) and elicited their opinion on certain provisions of the bill.

Other bills

The Assembly also passed the Karnataka Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes (Reservation of Appointment, etc.) (Amendment) Bill, 2011, which seeks to take stringent action against those who obtain fake caste certificates, and the Karnataka Motor Vehicles Taxation (Second Amendment) Bill, 2011, which seeks to extend the benefit of tax concession on vehicles owned by Central government employees who have already paid lifetime tax in other States, before their transfer to Karnataka, and the Karnataka Societies Registration (Amendment) Bill, 2011, seeking to fix a time limit for the Registrar to accept or reject an amendment to rules and regulations submitted by a Society.

Besides, the Karnataka Appropriation Bill, 2011, the Sahyadri Heritage Development Authority Bill, 2011, and the Karnataka Town and Country Planning (Amendment) Bill, 2011, were tabled in the House.

DHNS (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/212074/regulation-stone-crushers-bill-gets.html)

The Karnataka government tabled a Bill that provides for developing all ports in the state on public-private partnership (PPP) basis

The Karnataka Maritime Board Act, 2011, introduced by Mr J. Krishna Palemar, state Minister for Ports and Inland Water Transport, is meant to aid the constitution and functioning of a maritime board for the state.

“The board shall be in a position to find ways and means to undertake various developmental projects and maintenance activities in relation to ports, harbours, inland waterways and coastal protection, thus helping in the growth and development of the coastal region and its hinterland“, read the statement of objects and reasons for the Bill.

The new Bill also provides for the development and maintenance of fishing harbours by the board, with suitable budgetary grants and subventions from the state government. However, it was stated that the operations and management of the fishing harbours shall continue to be carried out by the Fisheries Department and not the maritime board.

Karnataka has a coastline of about 300 kms dotted with 10 non-major ports, apart from the Major Port at New Mangalore. The non-major ports, which include Karwar, Malpe Harbour, Tadri and Old Mangalore, are currently managed by the Public Works Department through the Director of Ports and Inland Water Transport (IWT).

http://www.dredgingtoday.com/2011/12/22/india-karnataka-government-will-develop-ports-on-ppp-basis-official-says/

Weir sets up Rs 60-cr rubber unit in Bangalore

Weir Group, which has interest in mining and engineering services in India, has invested Rs 60 crore to set up a new rubber facility in Bangalore.

Weir Minerals India has set up the rubber manufacturing facility to serve the requirements of the domestic mining industry. The new facility has precision equipment and a research and development laboratory to improve the properties of rubber material.

The facility has been built in six months and from a current capacity of 200 MT per annum with a workforce of about 25 people, it is expected to be ramped up to 400 MT per annum over the next three years.

The rubber unit will produce mill liners, erosion resistant rubber lining, rubber hoses, rubber liners for cyclones, screen media, polyurethane products, slurry pump and valve rubber parts. The unit will support Weir Minerals, and the Weir BDK valves and pumps unit in India.

Inaugurating the unit, Weir Chief Executive, Mr Keith Cochrane, said the new facility is in line with Weir India strategy to serve customers with locally manufactured products.

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/companies/article2741397.ece?homepage=true&ref=wl_home

All state Museums just a click away (http://ibnlive.in.com/news/all-state-museums-just-a-click-away/214724-60-115.html)

MYSORE: Thanks to an initiative of the Directorate of Archaeology and Museums, all it will take to get to the different museums of Karnataka from now on will be a mere click.
The directorate, which is all set to launch its website www.karnatakaarchaeology.org on December 24, will enable people to have a 360-degree virtual tour of the photographs and outdoor stills of all state museums. The website will feature photographs of 15 museums, including those in Dharwad, Kamalapur in Bellary district, Mangalore, Bangalore, Belgaum, Kodagu, Raichur, Hassan, Gadag, Gulbarga, Chitradurga, Shimoga, Mysore and Venkatappa Art Gallery in Bangalore.
The virtual tour is accompanied with audio commentary in English and Kannada, and is designed to give an actual feel of the museum itself.
Also, details of employees working with the directorate and a list of its publications,� in addition to copies of the Karnataka Ancient and Historical Monuments and Archaeological Sites Remains Act, 1961, Karnataka Treasure Trove Act, 1962, and provisions of RTI will be available in the website.
“The photographs of 800 protected monuments will be loaded to the website soon, said head of the Directorate Dr R Gopal.

Karnataka policy soon on mobile-governance

The Karnataka Government is set to be the first State in the country to come out with a policy on mobile-governance, to enable services to be delivered through mobile phone applications.

“The policy is ready, we are just fine-tuning it,” Mr M.N. Vidyashankar Secretary- Department of Information Technology, Biotechnology and Science & Technology, Government of Karnataka told Business Line.

The State Government is currently taking inputs from countries which have done well in e-governance, he said. “We will ensure that everything is in place and then launch the policy,” he added.

The Government plans to take advantage of the teledensity in the State which is about 1.7 - which means every citizen in the State owns more than one mobile phone.

“We want to start e-governance in a big way and more and more applications will now be delivered on mobile,” Mr Vidyashankar said.

Pilots will be started immediately, and we will provide all citizen services such as paying mobile phone bills, electricity bills, and other such payments through cell phones, he added.

The project is being executed in a public-private partnership model and the State Government is working with several start-ups in the e-governance sector from the State.

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/info-tech/article2755302.ece

http://www.deccanheraldepaper.com/pdf/2012/01/02/20120102aA001100008.jpg

Karnataka Cabinet clears Rs 17,207 crore irrigation project (http://ibnlive.in.com/generalnewsfeed/news/karnataka-cabinet-clears-rs-17207-crore-irrigation-project/945775.html)

PTI | 10:01 PM,Jan 03,2012
Bangalore, Jan 3 (PTI) Karnataka Cabinet today gave administrative sanction to take up Upper Krishna Project-Third Stage that would provide irrigation facilities to more than five lakh hectares (about 14 lakh acres) in five districts, at a cost of Rs 17,207 crore. Briefing reporters,Water Resources Minister Basavaraj Bommai said 76,000 acres in 20 villages would be submerged in the process, and they would be shifted. "R&R (relief and rehabilitation) and land acquisition will be taken up simultaneously", he told reporters. 130.5 TMC ft of water would utilised in the project, while the height of the Almatti dam would be increased from 519 feet to 524 feet. The UKP-third stage project would help irrigate five lakh and 30,475 hectares in the districts of Bijapur, Bagalkot, Koppal, Raichur and Gulbarga. First round of discussions have been held with HUDCO and NABARD for loan assistance to take up R&R work and infrastructure development in the affected areas, respectively, Bommai said. Clearance of Central Water Commission and Enviornment Ministry would have to be sought, he said. Karnataka government would seek the "national project" status for this project, as it benefits more than one lakh hectares. Bommai termed the Cabinet decision as "historic", adding, the Government has fulfilled its promise. "It's a new year gift". He also said the Government would come out with R&R policy after consulting social economists and scientists, and its already in touch with two premier social sciences institutes for inputs. A similar policy in Maharashtra and the Centre's draft policy on land acquisition are also being studied, Bommai added.

Karnataka eyes Rs 6-lakh-cr from global investors meet

The second Global Investors Meet (GIM), to be organised by the Karnataka Government on June 7 and 8, is likely to attract an investment of Rs 6 lakh crore, according to Mr Sadananda Gowda, Karnataka Chief Minister.

Inaugurating the Coastal Business Development Summit, organised by the FKCCI here on Wednesday, he said that the State is ready to extend all help to investors.

The first GIM in 2010 attracted investment of around Rs 5 lakh crore and 387 MoUs were signed then. He said 288 projects were taken up for implementation. Of them, 89 projects have reached final stages of implementation.

The coastal business summit is likely to attract Rs 17,000 crore investment, he said.

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/article2774095.ece?ref=wl_opinion

38 MoUs signed, Rs 1,506 crore investment expected

CM inaugurates Coastal Business Development Summit in Mangalore

Karnataka is an investor friendly State and all facilities and conducive trade environment will be offered to the investors coming to the State, said Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda.

http://www.deccanherald.com/images/editor_images1/2012/01/04/kodagu-development-summit-m.jpg

Inaugurating the Coastal Business Development Summit in Mangalore on Wednesday, he said that a total of Rs 1,506 crore will be invested by as many as 38 big investors in the Coastal districts soon.

Speaking on the industrial environment existing in the coastal districts, he said that though the region is well connected with air, rail, road and water ways, business and industries have not been able to make a mark in the region due to some external factors.

He said that the internal income of the region was nine per cent during 2008-09, of which Dakshina Kannada district had five per cent while Udupi and Uttar Kannada had mere two per cent contribution. District Industrial Progress of Dakshina Kannada was 31 per cent during this period while Udupi and Uttar Kannada was 29.8 per cent and 25.7 per cent respectively.

Speaking about the Global Investors’ Meet held in Bangalore in 2010, the CM said that the event was a huge success which saw ushering in of an investment of Rs five lakh crore. As many as 387 MoUs were signed promising six lakh job openings.
“As many as 288 projects have already taken off while 89 projects nearing completion,” said the CM.

During the programme, 38 investors including MRPL with a romping Rs 1,100 crore project signed the MoU with the State. Minister for Small and Medium Industries Murugesh Nirani said that an area of 1.19 lakh acre has been set aside for the Land Bank in the State and preliminary steps have been taken to acquire 89,000 acres of land.

Udupi District-in-Charge Minister Dr V S Acharya said that the primary sector in the region contributes to only 19 per cent of the gross production of the State while manufacturing sector contributes to 21 per cent while the tertiary sector (service sector etc) contribute to 45 per cent.

“This means that we need to give importance to tertiary sector,” said Dr Acharya.
Minister for Primary and Higher Education Kageri Vishweshwara Hegde, Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Bangalore) President J R Bangera, Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Latha R Kini among others were present.

Cong plays spoilsport
Congress leaders Ramanath Rai, U T Khader and Abhaychandra Jain boycotted the programme and walked out after seeing that they were not given seats on the dais.

While Rai and Khader had smugly walked out of the wall, Jain was stopped by one of the organisers who tried to convince him. Jain blurted out rude words on the organiser in front of the audience before walking out. While the organisers wore a grim look on their faces for a while, the programme went on track within minutes.


http://www.deccanherald.com/content/216782/38-mous-signed-rs-1506.html

Karnataka to hold 2nd global investors meet in June

The Karnataka Government is expecting investments to the tune of Rs 6 lakh crore in the proposed global investors meet (GIM) in June this year.

Inaugurating the Coastal Business Development Summit, organised by the Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FKCCI), here on Wednesday, the Chief Minister, Mr D.V. Sadananda Gowda, said that the second GIM would be conducted in Bangalore on June 7 and 8.

The first GIM, which was conducted in June 2010, had attracted investment of around Rs 5 lakh crore, and 387 MoUs (memorandam of understanding) with regard to investments in Karnataka were signed then.

Of them, 288 projects were taken up for implementation.

He said that 89 of those projects have reached final stages of implementation.

The Chief Minister assured the investors that the State Government is ready to extend all help to investors to invest in the State.

He also mentioned that Karnataka is overtaking Gujarat in terms of industrial development.

Speaking on the occasion, the Karnataka Industries Minister, Mr Murugesh Nirani, said that the conversion of MoUs, which were signed during the first GIM, into actual projects is around 60 per cent. However, this was only 17 per cent in Gujarat.

read more;- http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/economy/article2775022.ece?homepage=true&ref=wl_home

Boost for infra companies in Karnataka

The Karnataka government will set-up a body for public-private partnership infra projects. The government is looking to bring projects worth Rs 6 lakh cr from investors.

A bill likely to be tabled in the next budget session of the Karnataka legislature, which will create a statutory body that will have the power to speed up all public-private partnership infrastructure projects in the State.

Once the Karnataka Infrastructure Development and Regulatory Bill, 2011, becomes an Act, it will create a statutory body, the Infrastructure Authority (IA) that will act as a nodal agency in development of PPP policies and programmes apart from holding the power to direct State-level statutory bodies to speed up the process for grant of any clearance or permission required for any project.

http://www.yourmoneysite.com/news/2012/jan/boost-for-infra-companies-in-karnataka.html

Gujarat no longer investment leader

On attracting investment, Karnataka is fast outpacing Gujarat, which was once a role model, Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda said.

Addressing the gathering at a two-day coastal business development summit, organised by Federation of Karnataka Chamber of Commerce and Industries (FKCCI) here on Wednesday, he emphasised that this was possible with focus on industrialisation in the last four years. “The second Global Investors Meet (GIM) planned in Bangalore in June aims to attract an investment of Rs 6 lakh crore for Karnakata,” he said.

The CM elucidated: “Among these 288 projects, 89 are in their final stages; six lakh jobs would be generated from the new industries.” Gowda declared that the government through the GIM will sustain its status as an investor-friendly state. He attributed the lack of vision of his predecessors for the state lagging behind in development.

He hoped that coastal development summit will boost the economy of coastal Karnataka region. “Industries with advanced technology are the need of the hour; however, environmental issues cannot be ignored,” he said.

Minister for Large and Medium Scale Industries Murugesh R Nirani said the government will focus on setting up industries in two and three-tier cities in the GIM-2012. “The government is committed to provide special package for investors� looking at regions outside Bangalore,” he added.

Commissioner of Industrial Development and Director of Industries and Commerce A Maheshwara Rao symbolically signed three Memoranda of Understanding which included setting up a subsidiary industry worth `1,100 crore and two hotels worth `105 crore and `25 crore respectively.

http://ibnlive.in.com/news/gujarat-no-longer-investment-leader/217977-60-115.html

Govt takes ad route to acquire industrial land

Keeping in view the stiff resistance from farmers and Opposition parties to acquire lands for setting up industries in the State, the government has now decided to request the farmers to give land voluntarily for the land bank programme.

The Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB), the nodal agency to acquire lands for industries, will now advertise about the requirement of non-cultivable lands in each district by mentioning specific areas. If the local farmers are willing to give land voluntarily, the government will fix the price according to the market rate or mutually agreed price (whichever is higher), said Large and Medium Industry Minister Murugesh Nirani.

Speaking to reporters here, he said the KIADB would come out with an advertisement in a couple of days with details about the requirement of lands in each district and will ask farmers to respond to it.

The government’s latest move comes in the backdrop of strong resistance from farmers and Opposition parties over its decision to acquire large tracts of lands under its land bank scheme for industries.

Under the scheme, the State government had earlier identified 1.5 lakh acres of land in various districts; KIADB had issued preliminary notification for the acquisition of over 60,000 acres.

However, the move faced strong opposition from the farmers which was backed by political parties and religious leaders. The State government was forced to stop the acquisition.

As the new Land Acquisition Bill is yet to get the nod from Parliament, many states, including Karnataka, are struggling to acquire lands for various projects. Though the Bill was cleared by the Union Cabinet, it is pending before the Parliamentary Standing Committee.

Recently, several top industrialists had complained to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh about the difficulties in getting land and urged him to take immediate steps to resolve the crisis.

Nirani said that since the last Global Investors Meeting (GIM) in 2010, a total of 31 major projects with an investment of Rs 4,250 crore have been implemented in the State, which resulted in the creation of 21,182 jobs.

A committee of officials headed by the chief secretary is reviewing the projects periodically, while the government has appointed nodal officers for each venture to expedite implementation, the minister added.

http://www.deccanherald.com/content/217516/govt-takes-ad-route-acquire.html

New building for state information commission

The state information commission will get a building of its own with the Centre giving its administrative approval recently.

“The state government has given its approval and released Rs 2.50 crore. We are expecting the funds from the Centre after which the construction will start,” government sources told Express here on Tuesday.

The proposed building could be named Mahiti Hakku Soudha and will come up in an area of about 3-4 acre behind the Udyoga Soudha, which houses the office of the Karnataka Public Service Commission.

Designed by government’s chief architect Uday for Rs 15 crore which will be equally shared by Centre and the state, the exterior and interior of the building will be in tune with aesthetics, culture and grandeur of the Vidhana Soudha, Vikasa Soudha and the Udyoga Soudha.

It is proposed to have three floors apart from the ground floor and one cellar, for parking space. The building will contain 10 court halls, 10 chambers, each for six information commissioners and one chief information commissioner. The other three chambers are for the secretariat of the commission.

The information commission is now functioning from one of the five blocks in the M S building.

http://ibnlive.in.com/news/new-building-for-state-information-commission/219857-60-115.html

3 science centres coming soon in Karnataka (http://www.dnaindia.com/bangalore/report_3-science-centres-coming-soon-in-karnataka_1637030)

Karnataka will soon be home to three science centres as the construction of these centres in Dharwad, Mangalore and Mysore is going to be over in coming years.

Director of Visvesvaraya Industrial & Technological Museum (VITM), Shivaprasad Khened said that the science centre being constructed at Dharwad is ready to be inaugurated, while the construction of new centres in Mangalore and Mysore will be completed in the coming years.

“The centre is ready to be inaugurated as early as this month. We are just working on the logistics,” Khened said. The centre is being built at the cost of `8.5 crore and is jointly financed by the state and the central government.

He also said that the Mangalore centre is most likely to be ready in another six months. “We are setting up the models in Mangalore and it should be ready for business by June this year,” he said.
Khened revealed that a plan for another science centre for children in the state is also on the cards but the state government has not announced it officially so far.

“We will start working on a centre in Mysore some time this year. Usually it takes about three years to complete these projects; so it ought to be ready by 2015,” he said.

Creating the right temper
“We are expecting students from all over the state to come and visit these centres and be inspired to become scientists. It’s important for informal institutions for science learning to create a scientific temper amongst the youth,” Khened said.
He said that each centre is unique in terms of models and displays.

“Dharwad is known for its cultural and historic roots. So, we have set up a display that details the kind of technology used in the Harappan times. We are still working on what goes in the Mangalore centre,” he said.

Belgaum missed :ohno:

Karnataka to focus on quality of weather monitors

In a bid to create a better informed weather-model system, the Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre (KSNDMC), will be building 500 weather stations across the state during the next three years.

“We have 2,000 field sensors in the state, which collate data that are processed spatially. Something that can’t be measured properly is something that can’t be managed well. In the next three years, we will add 4,000 more rainfall sensors, which will increase the resolution of the data we collate,” said KSNDMC director VS Prakash. The state has lost more than `70 crore over the past decade because of natural disasters; having advanced weather-monitoring mechanism would go a long way in minimising the costs, he added.

“We are also building 500 weather-monitoring stations. The budget is likely to be `30 crore,” he said, adding that in the past year, the department had built 200 weather stations and installed 770 sensors in the state. However, more than the funds, the focus should be on the quality of the technology implemented.

“We will be completing the project in a phased manner. It’s not about picking some sensors from a shelf and installing them, I am looking at the quality of the sensors. The data has to be evaluated. Also, there should be GPRS connectivity even at the panchayat level, but in a matter of two years, that too will not pose a problem, as there will be connectivity at even that level,” he said.

http://www.dnaindia.com/bangalore/report_karnataka-to-focus-on-quality-of-weather-monitors_1637029

3 science centres coming soon in Karnataka (http://www.dnaindia.com/bangalore/report_3-science-centres-coming-soon-in-karnataka_1637030)



Belgaum missed :ohno:

Akash initially the centre had granted two regional science centre one each at Dharwad n Mangalore..When Mysore was included..any idea??

Akash initially the centre had granted two regional science centre one each at Dharwad n Mangalore..When Mysore was included..any idea??

Very recently due to efforts of Ramdas minister

Volvo CE expands facility in Bangalore
(http://www.deccanherald.com/content/219126/volvo-ce-expands-facility-bangalore.html)


Volvo Construction Equipment, on Friday, formally inaugurated its new expanded facility at Peenya.

The existing facility was a hub for manufacturing heavy machinery for road construction, while the present extended part will facilitate production of 21 tonne and 29 tonne excavators, which earlier used to be imported. The expansion saw investment of around Rs 90 crore and is suitable to provide increased capacity for road range products in the next five years, depending on demand. The investment has also brought about modernisation and increased overall operational efficiency.

Volvo Construction Equipment President and CEO Patrick Olney said India is one of Volvo’s largest markets for construction equipment. “The overall market for construction equipment in India grew at 20 per cent last year. It would remain the same for the coming decade as well, during which the market for such products looks to grow six-fold.” “With this new expansion, we are aiming to cater to the rising demand faster,” Olney said. One of Volvo’s key strategies is heavy localisation, wherein local suppliers contribute to the overall production process. This helps cutting down costs, bring forth domestic development besides creating favourable employment opportunities, he added.

Housing policy for slum-dwellers

The state Cabinet on Friday cleared a policy seeking to give ownership titles to slum-dwellers, remove hurdles in constructing dwelling units and provide minimum infrastructure in such areas.

The total slum population in Karnataka is about 40 lakh, living in 2,722 slums in government and private land. This includes the 597 slums in Bangalore, with a population of 15 lakh.

The aim of the policy is to make the state slum-free and the government would strive to achieve the goal in five to eight years, Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs S Sureshkumar said. The policy envisages providing quality dwelling units and minimum infrastructure such as electricity, drainage, drinking water and roads.

The government will amend the Karnataka Town and Country Planning Act during the next budget to clear legal hurdles in giving land rights to the slum-dwellers, the minister said. The policy proposes stringent action against those who create new slums.

The first Legislative session of the year will start from January 30. The state Cabinet which met here on Friday decided to convene the session for ten days from January 30

http://ibnlive.in.com/news/housing-policy-for-slumdwellers/220732-60-115.html

Foundation stone lying ceremony of Hajj House at Bangalore

http://www.sahilonline.org/news/2012/jan12/15_hajj_house_1.jpg

copyrights:- http://www.sahilonline.org

Govt examining proposals for ports in AP, Kerala, K'taka, Guj

The government today said it is examining proposals from Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Gujarat for setting up major ports in these states and has also prepared plans of attracting Rs 2.76 lakh crore investment for augmenting existing port capacity by 2020.

"We have received three proposals from Andhra Pradesh and one each from Karnataka, Kerala and Gujarat for establishing major ports. Teams have been sent to examine the sites and a committee will soon come up with its report," Shipping Secretary K Mohandas told reporters while announcing the India Maritime Week.

Under its Maritime Agenda, unveiled in 2011, the Ministry has proposed setting up of major ports in the East and West coasts and all maritime states were asked to select sites for the same.

Mohandas said ports contributed significantly to the country's growth and the Ministry has made plans that envisages Rs 2.76 lakh crore investment in ports, a major chunk of which is expected from the private sector.

On award of projects under public-private-partnerships (PPP), Mohandas said of the "23 projects in basket this year under the mode, the Ministry is hopeful of awarding about 80 per cent by the fiscal-end."

The agreement for project at JNPT port is likely to be signed soon, while bid for developing terminal at Kandla has been opened and the Ministry is hopeful to award Chennai project this fiscal.

India has 12 major ports along its 7,517 kms of coastline, six each on the west and east coasts. Around 200 non-major ports transport about 90 per cent by volume and 70 per cent by value India's international trade.

The Ministry plans to augment the capacities in all ports to 2.5 billion tonnes by 2016-17 and more than 3 billion tonnes by 2020.

Traffic handled at major ports during 2010-11 was 570.03 million tonnes and at non-major ports it was 314.78 million tonnes.

India Maritime Week which kicked off today is designed to showcase India as a global maritime hub and to assist efforts in evolving a cohesive approach in making India a top maritime nation.

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com//articleshow/11525734.cms

El Dorado Park - Independent Villa

El dorado park is the first-of-its-kind integrated township on Hosur Road, near to Electronic City, in Bangalore. On the sprawling 125 acres of lush greenery, the unseen unfolds comprising 600 fully air-conditioned premium villas & 200 row houses, a 150 room 5 star hotel, Tech Park, shopping mall, a 4 screen multiplex & club zone. Here, the beauty of life lies in admiring nature, relaxing in lush backyard, listening to the melody of the water bodies.

Zuari Industries on an expansion spree (http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/features/investors-guide/zuari-industries-on-an-expansion-spree/articleshow/11597477.cms)

Incorporated in 1967, the KK Birla group company Zuari Industries is engaged in the manufacturing of complex fertilisers and other agricultural inputs.

Business and growth outlook

Recently, Zuari, in joint venture with Mitsubishi Corporation, acquired a 30% stake in Peruvian mine - Fospac for 230 crore for assured supply of phosphate rock - the main feedstock for di-ammonium phosphate (DAP). Fospac's annual rock phosphate production is expected to reach 2.5 million tonne by 2015, half of which will come to Zuari. The company plans to set up a 1 million tonne DAP plant at Karwar in Karnataka with a capex of 750 crore.

In mid August 2011 the company finalised a contract to source potash feed, which will help the company grow its revenue and profit. Recently, Zuari also signed a gas-supply agreement with GAIL for 0.4 million tonnes urea plant at Zuarinagar. With fuel supply expected to start from January 2012, the company's annual urea production capacity will grow 10% to 441000 tonnes.

This is likely to attract an additional margin of 3,000 a tonne, which means an additional profit of Rs 12.6 crore. The company also has plans to set up 1.3 million tonne gasbased urea plant at Belgaum in Karnataka at a cost of Rs 5,000 crore by 2015-16 . The Dabhol-Bangalore gas pipeline project may supply the project with natural gas.

Karnataka plans new food lab, hires staff for better FSSA implementation

Karnataka has now speeded up efforts to ensure preparedness in terms of infrastructure and personnel to help the industry adhere to the Food Safety & Standards Act (FSSA), 2006.

The state, which has four food labs, is now looking to have a fifth facility in Bangalore, under the Karnataka Health Systems Development Project, which is funded by the World Bank.

The state is also contemplating on setting up mobile vans to simplify the surveillance of food units at a faster pace. Further efforts are on to offer online issue of licences and renewal. In this regard, the Union government has now software to network the state food commissionerates across the country. Karnataka is hoping to be among the first to install the same.

Further the state will also set up helplines and a website to solve the issues of the industry in terms of comprehending and consulting the finer points of the Act.

In this regard, the state has identified four food safety labs for which NABL (National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories) certification is being sought and currently a Gap Analysis is on to help compare the actual performance with potential performance, according to B S Ramaprasad, Karnataka commissioner for food, directorate of health and family welfare.

The four labs present in the state are being upgraded with the help of state health department and national rural health mission scheme. Also the notification pertaining to food safety officers is complete. Training to food safety officers has been imparted, recruitment of adjudicating officer is complete and constitution of special courts in the 30 districts of the state is also through.

“The cog in the wheel is the required staff, laboratories and related infrastructure. While we have 104 FSO, there is a shortfall of 130 personnel. We have designated district surveillance officers to oversee the inspection of food joints at all levels,” he added.

He further stated, “Going hand in hand with the required labs and FSOs, we are now on an aggressive drive to implement information, education and communication (IEC) which combines strategies, approaches and methods that enable individuals to correctly understand the FSSA.”

On a concluding note, he said, “The key task for the food industry is to remain self- compliant, implement recall and improve tasks which will help it to easily adhere to the FSSA. For the government it is the challenge of taking the stakeholders into confidence.”

http://www.fnbnews.com/article/detnews.asp?articleid=31229&sectionid=1

Tranquil - Apartments

The first sight of the sun, the cool breeze caressing your face, the greenery, and 85%vast open space?all put that smile on your face as you get ready to begin your day. And as you return home at the end of a hard day? you are lifted by nature?s bounty, and you calmly treat yourself to an array of inviting activities... the health club to begin with. At the hideaway called Mantri Tranquil. Off Kanakapura Road.
Mantri Tranquil is located off Kanakpura Main Road in Bangalore, Banashankari Temple 6 kms, Family Mart 5 kms, Art Of Living 9 kms, Metro 2.5 kms, Delhi Public School 3.5 kms, Valley School 6 kms, Khodays 2 kms

Woodland planning to expand in Karnataka

Outdoor adventure footwear and apparel major Woodland, on Tuesday, announced plans to expand its footprint in Karnataka by establishing 10-15 stores in the State by the year-end.

The company will spend Rs 1.5 crore on each of these stores. It opened two stores in the City in Hebbal and Marathahalli.

The brand has a network of over 30 stores in State. Woodland Worldwide Managing Director Harkirat Singh said over 10 per cent of Woodland’s annual revenues come from Karnataka justifying our presence.

Woodland has around 350 stores across the country which are company-owned. Its products are also marketed through different distribution channels such as malls and footwear stores as well.

Viewing South India as a strong independent market with stores in all metros, Woodland is now foraying into smaller towns and cities. Singh said the company is setting up shop in Tumkur, Shimoga, Kundapur, Karwar and so on.

According to Singh, organised footwear market in India is worth around Rs 20,000 crore of which, outdoor footwear brands constitute a niche segment.

“Woodland’s sales last year have been to the tune of Rs 700 crore growing 25 per cent year-on-year. With demand on the rise, the company is taking to automation to produce products in higher volumes,” Singh added.

http://www.deccanherald.com/content/221811/woodland-planning-expand-karnataka.html

More cyber crime police stations in Karnataka

As the number of cyber crime cases being registered is on the rise, the state police is contemplating extending cyber crime police stations to other parts of the state in order to tackle cyber crimes effectively.
In a recent meeting of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), it was decided to establish CCPS and cyber labs in all states, including Union Territories, to curb cyber crimes. It had also earmarked a budget of Rs149.86 crore to execute this project.
In the meeting that was attended by Home Secretaries and DGPs of all states, it was decided to launch the project to assist state governments to build adequate capacity and technical expertise to handle these crimes.
A senior police official said that following the decision taken in the meeting, top brass of the state police are seriously considering setting up some more CCPS in other districts of the state. “As of now, there is only one CCPS in the state and nearly 150 cases are being registered every year. In spite of training the policemen, and even though cases are being registered at the police station levels, it has been observed that something has to be done to tackle cyber crimes because they will keep increasing in the coming years. Hence, there are plans to establish CCPS in some places,” the officer explained.
When contacted, DGP of the Criminal Investigation Department, Rupak Kumar Datta told Express , “There are plans to set up CCPS at Mysore, Mangalore, Belgaum, among others. These will be handled only by CID sleuths. However, we are yet to finalise the plan before sending a proposal to the government.”

http://ibnlive.in.com/news/more-cyber-crime-police-stations-in-karnataka/223401-60-115.html

Karnataka to press Centre to accord special status to 5 districts

Karnataka Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda today said the State government would exert pressure on the Centre to amend Article 371 of the Constitution to accord special status to the five backward districts in Hyderabad-Karnataka region.

"We are pressurising the Central government again," Gowda reporters in response to questions after a Cabinet meeting. A State delegation would visit New Delhi to press the Centre again on the issue, while an all-party meeting would be convened during the course of the Assembly session commencing on January 30, he said.

The Karnataka government is demanding that the five districts of Gulbarga, Raichur, Bidar, Koppal and Yadgir in the Hyderabad-Karnataka region be accorded special status. Asked if a resolution demanding the amendment by the Centre would be passed in the Assembly, the Chief Minister pointed out that such a step had already been taken. "Repeatedly passing resolution is not necessary at this stage".

Gowda said the Centre had agreed to amend the Article but "it's a matter of concern" that the issue did not come up during the last Parliamentary session despite it being ready. He said the central leaders, including Union Ministers from the State, are "cooperating" and all that's needed now is to place the proposal before the Union Cabinet for approval.

A bandh was observed in the five districts of Gulbarga, Raichur, Bidar, Koppal and Yadgir in the region yesterday demanding the amendment. Vaijnath Patil, President of the Hyderabad Karnataka Horata Samiti, which had given the call for the shut-down, said: "....amending the Article will facilitate comprehensive development and ensure special reservation in employment and educational opportunities".

Meanwhile, the Cabinet approved the text of Governor H R Bhardwaj's address to be delivered to the joint session of the Karnataka Legislature on January 30. The Chief Minister also said the Cabinet decided to "close" a case, registered years ago, against Uttara Kannada Lok Sabha member, Ananth Kumar Hegde, but did not specify the details.

http://www.deccanherald.com/content/221996/karnataka-press-centre-accord-special.html

Chikmagalur, Gadag, Raichur airport survey

BANGALORE: Land acquisition controversies have dominated headlines for quite some time now. And in a bid to work around the controversies and shortage of land, the state government is planning to build airports on land of just 100 acres. The Infrastructure Development Department is currently carrying out surveys in three districts of Gadag, Chikmagalur and Raichur, for expanding air operations in the state. Officials said the proposals would be completed in the next two months. They also said small airports were conceived for operating chartered aircraft and other small 8-10 seater aircraft.
“Gulbarga airport will open by May and Shimoga airport will be opened by July this year,” Rajkumar Khatri, Principal Secretary, Infrastructure Development, Government of Karnataka, said. He told Express that the two airports would also be expanded since their capacity was on the rise and they promised fast connectivity to these regions. Connectivity to the airports in Mysore, Belgaum and Hubli had been impacted as the sole operator, Kingfisher, had cut the frequency and also stopped operations to these areas owing to their financial crisis.
“Belgaum airport and Hubli airports would be expanded at an estimated cost of `150 crore each by the Airports Authority of India (AAI),” he said.
On Tuesday, the Planning Commission projected a requirement of 30 functional airports within the next five years and nearly 180 in the next decade. The Planning Commission said passenger terminal capacity in most of the airports was expected to be between 230-240 million in the current year.

source:http://expressbuzz.com/states/karnataka/chikmagalur-gadag-raichur-airport-survey/356915.html

6 States asked to ready development plans around 16 km radius of nuclear plants

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has asked six State Governments with nuclear installations to prepare a plan for development of 16 kilometres of Emergency Planning Zones (EPZ), a Home Ministry release said here on Wednesday.

Giving this information to a delegation led by CPI(M) leader, Mr Sitaram Yechury, the Vice-Chairman, NDMA, Mr Shree Reddy, said after the Fukushima tragedy in Japan last year, the NDMA in collaboration with all the State Governments or Atomic Energy fraternity had carried out mock exercises to look at offsite nuclear emergency plans.

“After the mock exercises, we advised the State Governments to prepare a development plan covering all the villages and habitations falling under the EPZs. On the basis of this, the Government of Karnataka has prepared a proposal for upgrading the infrastructure around the Kaiga Atomic Power Plant,” Mr Reddy said.

On the delegation's demand for rehabilitation of the people of five villages falling within five km radius around Kaiga Nuclear Plant, Mr Reddy, said people living in the 1.6 km sterile zone had been rehabilitated and in the exclusion zone covering five km radius, there were restrictions on development.
Committed to preparedness

He assured the delegation that while there would be no compromise as far as safety of the nuclear facilities issue was concerned, NDMA was committed to ensure better preparedness.

“We shall look at sourcing funds from various ongoing programmes and schemes before looking at means for meeting the gap in funding if any,” he said, and added that could also be taken up with the Planning Commission in future.

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/economy/article2834307.ece?homepage=true&ref=wl_home

http://www.deccanheraldepaper.com/pdf/2012/01/27/20120127a_002103004.jpg

Chikmagalur, Gadag, Raichur airport survey

BANGALORE: Land acquisition controversies have dominated headlines for quite some time now. And in a bid to work around the controversies and shortage of land, the state government is planning to build airports on land of just 100 acres. The Infrastructure Development Department is currently carrying out surveys in three districts of Gadag, Chikmagalur and Raichur, for expanding air operations in the state. Officials said the proposals would be completed in the next two months. They also said small airports were conceived for operating chartered aircraft and other small 8-10 seater aircraft.
“Gulbarga airport will open by May and Shimoga airport will be opened by July this year,” Rajkumar Khatri, Principal Secretary, Infrastructure Development, Government of Karnataka, said. He told Express that the two airports would also be expanded since their capacity was on the rise and they promised fast connectivity to these regions. Connectivity to the airports in Mysore, Belgaum and Hubli had been impacted as the sole operator, Kingfisher, had cut the frequency and also stopped operations to these areas owing to their financial crisis.
“Belgaum airport and Hubli airports would be expanded at an estimated cost of `150 crore each by the Airports Authority of India (AAI),” he said.
On Tuesday, the Planning Commission projected a requirement of 30 functional airports within the next five years and nearly 180 in the next decade. The Planning Commission said passenger terminal capacity in most of the airports was expected to be between 230-240 million in the current year.

source:http://expressbuzz.com/states/karnataka/chikmagalur-gadag-raichur-airport-survey/356915.html

Iro airport'ge hakkigalu barolla, innu hosa airport anthe :ohno:

Silt eating into storage capacity of State’s dams

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Accumulation of silt in major reservoirs over the years has started to severely affect water storage in the State.

Hydrological surveys reveal that seven reservoirs, including Tungabhadra and Almatti, have accumulated silt that has reduced the storage capacity of these dams by a staggering 49.1 tmc ft.

To get a feel of the quantum of water that goes into one tmc ft (tmc ft is an abbreviation for one thousand million cubic feet, a unit of measure used to report volumes of water), imagine a huge outlet that is pouring out 33,000 litres of water per second.

Keep this outlet open for 24 hours and the total water collected will amount to one tmc ft. That’s indeed a lot of water. The water supplied by Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board to Bangalore City for the entire year amounts to 12 tmc ft.

Tungabhadra dam has been the worst hit from the accumulation of silt. According to hydrological survey conducted by the Water Resources Development Organisation, the loss in storage capacity of Tungabhadra dam (constructed in 1953) is as high as 28 tmc ft, Narayanapura dam, constructed in 1982, has already accumulated silt that has resulted in loss of storage capacity by 10 tmc ft, reducing the original dam capacity by 27 per cent.

What is alarming is the high rate of siltation witnessed during recent years. In Tungabhadra for instance, the loss of capacity between 2004 and 2008 is 0.871 tmc/year which is two times the assumed rate of siltation (0.427 tmc ft/year). Loss of forest cover in catchment area, erosion due to mining, industrialisation and urbanisation have resulted in the siltation rate increasing over the years.

The government-appointed ‘Task Force for Quality Assurance in Public Construction’ has now come forward with a proposal to desilt the reservoirs on a long-term basis.

“We have proposed a long-term, but economically viable solution to the problem. It is observed that in any reservoir there is very high sedimentation at the river confluence and moderate sedimentation at the periphery of the reservoir. The idea, simply put, is to remove the silt from the interior of the reservoir and dump it scientifically and in methodical stages at the boundaries,” Task Force member secretary I Ravindranath told Deccan Herald.

Ravindranath, an engineer himself and who has been working on the idea for several years, said the proposal is technically viable and has been approved by experts. “We have also interacted with Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda, who has given us a positive response,” he said.

The silt removed can be used by farmers as it is rich in soil nutrients and fertile for agriculture. The Task Force has proposed to take up Doopadal, downstream of Hidakal dam, as pilot project.

“The reservoir has 85 per cent silt accumulation. We are in talks with the Cauvery Niravari Nigam (CNN) to take up the project at the earliest,” Ravindranath said.

Construction of barrages across rivers, making water user charges mandatory and a legislation to manage catchment area are other suggestions mooted by the Task Force.

Source:http://www.deccanherald.com/content/222330/silt-eating-storage-capacity-states.html

One-stop zone for I-T returns

BANGALORE: Now, you needn't stand in serpentine queues to file your income-tax returns.

Following the success of Passport Seva Kendras, Aayakar Seva Kendras (ASK) have been set up to help applicants to file their returns easily. ASK is a single-window system for registration of all taxpayer applications and returns.

IT applications (income-tax returns) at these ASKs can be filed in person as well as dropped in the box at the kiosk. The system will generate a unique acknowledgement number on the spot for the taxpayer. In future, ASKs will facilitate e-access for taxpayers to file applications online. It will have a kiosk, an ATM counter and two tax return preparers as well.

"The taxpayer will be able to monitor status of her/his applications and returns; information on resolution of requested services can be obtained too," said ML Agrawall, chief commissioner, income tax, Bangalore-I.

Two other kendras will come up in Hubli and Mangalore by the end of this financial year. The fourth ASK will be at Panaji (Goa comes under Bangalore I-T jurisdiction).

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/11658369.cms

No Mysore

Bangalore, Jan. 13:

The Karnataka Government with an aim to make the State slum-free has decided to remove all hurdles in taking up construction and re-development of slum areas.

land title deeds

Briefing reporters after the Cabinet meeting, the State Law and Urban Development Minister, Mr S. Suresh Kumar, said “Today's Cabinet meet decided to give slum dwellers land title deeds and provide basic infrastructure while taking up re-development of slum areas.”

“The main aim of this exercise is to make the State slum-free in five to eight years,” he added.

According to the survey conducted by the State Government, as much as 22 per cent of the population in urban areas of the State live in slum areas.

In all, there are 40 lakh people living in 2,722 slums spread across the Government and private land.

This includes 597 slums in Bangalore, where 15 lakh people live.

Formulate policy

Mr Suresh Kumar said the Cabinet has empowered the Chief Minister to hold department level meeting to formulate a policy to provide quality dwelling units and with basic infrastructure such as electricity, drinking water and roads.

Assembly Session

The Cabinet also approved a 10-day Assembly Session of the Karnataka Legislature to begin on January 30.

The session would commence with an address by the Governor, Mr H.R. Bhardwaj, to the joint session.

Backward Class

The Cabinet today decided to include the Arasu community under backward classes 2A category giving its members ‘academic benefits' and reservation in recruitment.

Mr Suresh Kumar said the community's population was about 40,000.

They had actually been included under 2A in 1977 but subsequently had been dropped from the list by ‘various backward classes commissions'.

Naxal Activity

Mr Suresh Kumar said the Cabinet has given its approval to hire people in different trades on contract basis in nine taluks, where ‘Naxal activity' is forcing the Government employees refusing to get transferred or have refused to join duty.

The nine taluks in three districts of Tumkur, Chikamagalur and Udupi are: Karkala, Kundapura, Sringeri, Mudigere, Koppa, Hosanagara, Thirthahalli, Belthangady and Pavagada, where 107 villages and 709 sub-villages have been “identified” for Naxal activity.

In all these districts, the deputy commissioners have been empowered to constitute a committee and hire people to take up development works.

According to Mr Suresh Kumar, different trades are primary school teachers, nurses, midwives, agriculture assistants, Anganawadi workers, bore-well mechanics and pump set operators.

anil.u@thehindu.co.in

Business Line (http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/economy/article2798990.ece)

Embassy Group launches Boulevard
Just 12 km from the new Bangaluru International Air*port, the new project by Em*bassy Group, Boulevard, at Bellary road will give you a break from the city’s crampy heart. The luxurious high-end villas meant for high net worth individuals will be ready by the end of 2014.

Karnataka project for 24x7 water supply in Hubli-Dharwad, Gulbarga, Belgaum villages

The Karnataka Government is undertaking a project for 24 X 7 supply of water in villages of the Hubli-Dharwad, Gulbarga and Belgaum regions, a senior State Government official said.

“Approval from the Union Government is pending on a proposal to get Rs 1,700 crore for this from the World Bank,” the Karnataka Minister for Rural Development, Mr Jagadish Shettar, said.

Considering that use of bore-wells gives water with high fluoride content, the State Government had taken up a multi-village scheme where water is supplied from common surface water sources such as tanks, canals and rivers source to several villages.

“Over 300 multi-village schemes have currently been implemented to cover over 1,000 villages in the State,” Mr Shettar said at the Bangalore World Water Summit, an international conference organised by the Centre for Sustainable Development.

According to him, residents in the Hubli-Dharwad area were earlier receiving water only thrice a month. “This interval was reduced to once in five days and now on a pilot, we've giving water 24X7, to eight wards in the Hubli-Dharwad area” he said.

“The State sub-committee is planning to see that groups of villages get their water from one source,” the Karnataka Minister for Higher Education, Mr V.S. Acharya, said at the event.

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/economy/article2851189.ece?ref=wl_industry-and-economy

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Karnataka introduces intelligent transport system

BANGALORE, FEB. 3:
Karnataka has made a modest beginning in using intelligent transport system (ITS) in urban transport management, said Ms V. Manjula, Principal Secretary, Karnataka Urban Development Department.

Addressing a conference on “Intelligent transport system for strategic urban development in Indian cities', Ms Manjula said “ITS is the integration of information and communication technology with transport infrastructure, vehicles and users. It enables information to be collected and shared in order to help people make more informed travel choices, make journey more efficient and help to reduce the impact of transport on the environment.”

“Keeping these principles intact in Karnataka, few ITS projects initiated are B-Track in Bangalore by the traffic police.

Passenger information system (PIS) is by the BMTC and the vehicle location system (VLS) for city buses in Mysore,” she added.

As the State is getting urbanised at a faster pace, the use of ITS is becoming increasingly necessary.

Ms Manjula said “Karnataka is one of the more urbanised States in the country with 38 per cent of population living in urban areas. This population is spread over 237 census towns, with almost 66 per cent of the State's urban population concentrated in 23 cities and Bangalore accounting for almost 11 per cent of the urban population.”

She explained that that ITS is very crucial in managing traffic in urban areas as vehicle density is increasing day by day.

“The growth of urban Karnataka has also brought in its wake of steep increase in the number of motor vehicles, the growth rate ranging from 10 to 14 per cent a year.

The number of vehicles has increased from 16 lakh in 1991 to 83 lakh in two decades,” she said.

B-TRACK

In B-Track project, the traffic management centre processes information collected through surveillance and enforcement cameras installed at various junctions across the Bangalore city, information conveyed through walkie-talkies by traffic policemen, and the plans signal phase timing alterations/congestion monitoring etc.

Information on congestion is conveyed through SMS to registered users of its service and flashed on information boards at vantage points.

GIS/PIS

BMTC has implemented a pilot project on ITS here an automatic vehicle location system is introduced in a limited way by installing GPS units devices on 189 buses.

Buses are tracked on real time basis and all the GPS units are controlled and monitored from a single control room.

Where as for PIS, BMTC has installed at select bus stops and at Bangalore International Airport which gives information on next bus, expected time, route number etc.

VLS

Ms Manjula said VLS is a world Bank-GEF funded project being implemented in Mysore city assisted by SUTP.

This project will be completed by March this year and will become operational from April.

In this project Central control station, automatic vehicle location system, passenger information system are all integrated to one control room through ITS.

Karnataka seeks special grant for Bidar district

Karnataka Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda today urged the Planning Commission to release a special grant of Rs 430 crore for the development of Bidar district, which is set to celebrate 500 years of Gurdwara Jheera Saheb.


Gowda termed the district as one of the under-developed districts of the state with lower Human Development Index amid a relatively higher population of SCs, STs and minorities.

The move comes in backdrop of the proposed 500-year celebrations of the famous gurdwara here in April.

In a letter to Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia, he said: "...we are going to celebrate 500th year of consecration of the revered Guru Nanak Jheera Gurdwara at Bidar between 24th and 29th April 2012."

Gowda said the "gurdwara, considered as one of the holiest, has great cultural and historical significance. It will attract around two million people during the celebrations".

"In this context, it would be appropriate we pool our resources for the infrastructure upgradation in and around the Bidar City to ensure better civic and other services to the citizens and devotees," Gowda said.

The chief minister said a project proposal in this regard has been prepared and an estimated Rs 430 crore will be required for the development of basic infrastructure including roads, water supply, health facilities, traffic, electricity, sports and recreation etc.

"This one-time development of infrastructure will give fillip to the overall development of that area and will have tremendous multiplier effect which will help the whole area to develop," he said.


source:http://www.deccanherald.com/content/224250/karnataka-seeks-special-grant-bidar.html

Centre to fund project reports for intelligent transport system

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Shinichi Yamanaka, Osamu Yoshizaki, Ms. V. Manjula, S.K.Lohia, M.A.Saleem are seen in the conference on Intelligent Transport System for Strategic Urban Development in Indian Cities held in Bangalore


The Union Urban Development Ministry will fund 80 per cent of the cost of preparing master plan/ detailed project report for intelligent transport system (ITS) in important cities across the country, including those in Karnataka.

A senior Ministry official announced this at the concluding session of a seminar on ITS jointly organised by UDD, governments of Japan and Karnataka here on Friday. Karnataka was keen on implementing ITS initially in three cities — Mysore, Bangalore and Hubli-Dharwad.

“Let the experience in these cities be pilot projects as Karnataka has been the role model for other,” the official said.

The seminar was attended by many big names in the field of electronics from Japan, which is keen on implementing ITS in India, particularly the southern States.

Addressing these companies, the official said that low-cost technology is abundantly available to develop ITS. “If you are keen on implementing ITS in India, you should deploy low-cost technology. The companies will not lose anything because the volumes of deployment are very high,” he said.

At the same time, the companies should explore to make the best utilisation of the existing infrastructure such as mobile telephone network, he suggested.

Also, the companies should be prepared to set up manufacturing units in India by creating Indian subsidiaries, as the country is keen on developing indigenous technology as well as creation of employment.

On the role of Japan International Cooperation Agency, which has been funding various projects in India, he urged the agency to fund certain pilot projects of ITS in India, to test the proof of concept.

The agency may fund preparation of detailed project reports and support the national architecture for ITS which is being developed by UDD. The next phase of Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission, which may be launched this year, will include funding ITS.

Commissioner, Directorate of Urban Land Transport (DULT), Karnataka, V. Manjula, said that a few initiatives of ITS are being adopted in the State, including B-TRAC in Bangalore and the World Bank-funded ITS in Mysore. She said that integration of information and communication technology with the transport infrastructure, vehicles and users, will help people to make more informed travel choices even as it helps improve traffic flow.

Throughout the day, representatives from Japanese companies Nippon Koei, ITS Japan, Zero-Sum Wireless Solutions, East Nippon Expressway Company, Toshiba, Hitachi, Nagoya Electric Worksco, Mitsubushi Heavy Industries and Toyota Tshusho Electronics made presentations on different aspects of ITS.

Yasuhiro Okumura from Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and Taro Okawa from JICA were present.

source:http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/article2857907.ece

All districts will have truck terminals: Ashok

‘Adequate funds have been sought for the purpose'

Minister for Home and Transport R. Ashok has said that the Government plans to construct truck terminals in all districts. He has sought adequate funds from the Government for the purpose.

He was addressing a gathering after inaugurating the D. Devaraj Urs Truck Terminal on the Mysore-Nanjangud road on Saturday. The terminal has come up on 16.2 acres. In the first phase, 9.34 acres has been developed at a cost of Rs. 12.67 crore. On completion, it will be able to accommodate about 90 agents, and have parking facility for more than 150 trucks. The rest of the area will be developed in the second phase by spending Rs. 8.2 crore.

The largest terminal would come up in Hubli on 60 acres, the Minister said. He added that a logistics park too would be established.

The truck terminal coming up at Dasanapura in Bangalore was being constructed on 13 acres at a cost of Rs. 14 crore. This was in addition to the existing terminal at Yeshwanthpur, Mr. Ashok stated.

The one coming up in Dharwad was being taken up at a cost of Rs. 9.28 crore on 7.5 acres. The Hospet truck terminal in Bellary district was being built at a cost of Rs. 12 crore on 38 acres. The State Government had spent over Rs. 15 crore for buying land for the terminals, Mr. Ashok said.

The terminal in Mysore would ensure the safety of trucks and goods. It would have a canteen, dormitory, agents' offices, toilets, weighbridge, petrol station and other facilities.

He said the transport infrastructure had received a boost in all the taluks of Mysore.Driving track

The Minister announced that the Government had bought 8.3 acres of land at Devanoor III Stage near the city for the construction of a driving track to facilitate beginners to learn driving. This would be the first such project in the State.

To a request by MLC Siddaraju and Karnataka Exhibition Authority chairman B.P. Manjunath, Mr. Ashok said he would consider establishing an ‘autonagar' here.

M. Satish Reddy, chairman of D. Devaraja Urs Truck Terminal Ltd., a State Government unit, spoke. Medical Education Minister and district in-charge S.A. Ramdas addressed the gathering.

http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-karnataka/article2862230.ece

More sugar factories to come up in State

Davangere, Feb 4, 2012, DHNS:

A delegation from the State will meet the Union Minister for Agriculture seeking permission to export sugar.

Horticulture and Sugar Minister S A Ravindranath said on Saturday that sugar production in the State was likely to go up to 21 lakh metric tonnes (MT) during the present financial year compared to 20 lakh MT last year. “The exact production will be known by April. In view of the increase in production, we need permission to export sugar. The State also intends to convey the problems faced by pomegranate growers during the meeting with Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar,” he said.

Ravindranath said permission was being granted to set up more sugar factories in the State in view of abundant availability of raw material. Five sugar factories will come up in North Karnataka, including one each in Belgaum, Bijapur and Bagalkot.

The minister said Vijaynagar Sugars has submitted its bid to restart the ailing Bhadra Co-operative Sugar Factory in Davangere.

Union govt releases funds to drought-hit taluks

The Union government has released a sum of Rs 868 crore to take up minor irrigation projects in the drought-affected taluks of the State.

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The State government had submitted a proposal to take up about 493 different minor irrigation projects in 81 drought-affected taluks at a cost of Rs 685 crore. Of these, the Centre approved 404 projects to be taken up in five phases, Secretary to Minor Irrigation Department P N Srinivasachary said.

Each of these projects covers about 50 hectares. Altogether, about 42,076 hectares of land will be irrigated under these projects. While the Centre will meet 90 per cent of the project cost, the balance 10 per cent will be met by the State government. Many of these projects will be completed by March this year, he said.

Gulbarga, Kolar, Chikkaballapur, Chitradurga and Chamarajanagar districts will mainly benefit from the proposed projects. About 100 projects will be implemented in Gulbarga district alone. Irrigation will be provided by constructing barrage-cum-bridge, he said.

Besides, the Centre has sanctioned Rs 233 crore for desilting and rejuvenating tanks. Construction of canals and strengthening of tank bunds will also be taken up.

The State had sought Rs 349.29 crore for flood control projects in urban areas, but the Centre has sanctioned Rs 95.64 crore. The projects will be taken up in Shimoga, Mudhol and Holenarasipura towns. Tenders to take up works in Shimoga and Holenarasipura have already been finalised. The Centre will fund 75 per cent of the cost, while the State will bear 25 per cent under these projects, the secretary said.

source:http://www.deccanherald.com/content/224879/union-govt-releases-funds-drought.html

Jalahalli, a green haven
Bangalore has some beautiful sectors and one of them is a wonderful pocket called Jalahalli between NH 7 and NH 4, which is basically the Tumkur and Bellary highways.
Located in the northern quadrant of Bangalore, it is by far one of the greenest areas to live in right now. It is split into Jalahalli East and Jalahalli West. What connects the two areas is Gangamma Circle which also brings together Jalahalli Village and Cross.
Real estate is constantly under scrutiny here and a number of areas are being tapped for the opportunity they present.

Government plans investment in BT sector

BANGALORE: In a move to optimise chances of attracting the Bio-Technology industry in Karnataka in the second edition of the Global Investors Meet (GIM) 2012, authorities in the state will be investing, both capital and research mettle, into the sector. “Already 26 per cent of the BT revenues of the country and 52 per cent of the BT companies are located in the state,” Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda said after the inauguration of Bangalore India-Bio in the city on Monday. Sharing the ‘success’ of the finishing school model, he said that there were 12 such schools in the state, which were currently on the verge of completion later this year. He also said that the state’s Millennium Bio-Tech policy was also getting encouraging responses. He also said that the Alexandria Bio Tech park would be operational in two years and also that they would focus more into such initiatives in II and III tier cities.

He added that `108 crore would be spent on the neuro-ceutical and pharmaceutical parks and other incubation centres across the state.
Minister for IT/BT V S Acharya said he had requested the CM to have a higher budget allocation in the soon to be announced state budget for IT/BT. Acknowledging the ‘talent shortage’ he said that the finishing schools would create qualified and industry ready work force from the 12 finishing schools, who would be absorbed into the industry itself. He also shared that $10 million venture fund proposal in BT sector and convey the same to the government.

Department of IT/BT and S&T M K Bhan added that a new academy for young scholar, Bio-connect, an incubation hub near the National Centre for Biological Sciences. He also added that they had received approval for eight other such centres.

Adding to this, chairperson of the Karnataka Vision for BT, Kiran Mazumdar Shaw said, “BT manufacturing could bring in revenues, provided we do it well.” Emphasising the concepts of Bio-partnering, she said that the same could expand bandwidth for better sharing of resources.

Hope Mysore gets some investments :cheers:

‘Karnataka needs world-class infra to grow in R&D sector’

Karantaka, which has made its name as the Silicon Valley of India, will be leader in the field of research and development (R&D) if the state government develops world-class infrastructure and has a favourable industrial policy environment in place, said Ron Somers, president, US-India Business Council on Monday. He highlighted various factors that make Karnataka the most important state for India in terms of R&D.

“There has to be an ecosystem that companies need to spark innovation. Young entrepreneurs need to look at successful companies to draw inspiration,” said Somers, adding that Karnataka has a large number of successful entrepreneurs to look up to.

He said that Karnataka needs to develop a world-class infrastructure facility.

“With Karnataka’s youthful demographic, its dizzying array of fine educational institutions, R&D taking place virtually in every industry, and a perfect climate, the only elements requiring further attention are the need to develop world-class infrastructure and putting in place a welcoming policy environment. With these aspects in place, attracting risk capital into this essential sector will follow.”

He echoed Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw's views on having a secondary stock exchange on the lines of Nasdaq to help newer companies to cater to their financial needs.

http://www.deccanheraldepaper.com/pdf/2012/02/07/20120207a_005100003.jpg

‘Karnataka needs world-class infra to grow in R&D sector’

I agree. Thanks for this news.

We’ll have the best nanotech park in India

The government is planning to set up a nanotechnology park in Bangalore in the financial year 2012-13 to give an impetus to the technology and will soon constitute an expert committee.

The park is likely to be featured at the proposed Information Technology Investment Region at Devanahalli. An initial grant of Rs20 crore has been proposed to develop it on public-private-partnership model on 25 acres.

The final proposal regarding the park was submitted to the government recently. The science and technology (S&T) department is working towards making the park the best in the country.

The aim of the park is to popularise the use of nanotechnology, touted as a gamechanger in fields as diverse as electronics, automobile technology and healthcare.

Nanotechnology’s applications in various industries offer a huge potential for business opportunities.

A nano-incubation centre will be set up at the park. Itsaim will be enabling research and development. It will offer facilities for R&D on a rental basis to make research more accessible.

An advanced laboratory would be set up. Also, it will seek to support new and small companies attain their business goals and achieve a good growth rate.

Further, to provide business opportunity as well as to familiarise students, scholars and public with the concept of nanoscience, an exhibition centre of international standards will be set up at the park.

Educating bureaucrats
Besides promoting research in the field, the S&T department plans to give training to bureaucrats as it believes this would make it easier to promote nanotechnology in the state. Workshops and seminars will be held in this regard. Also, technicians will be trained in the technology to cater to the needs of the industry, which is still in a nascent stage.

Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board will allot the land for the park after acquiring it from farmers. The government has published advertisements, seeking expression of interest from business houses to develop the park. The last date for corporates to respond was January 31.

MN Vidyashankar, principal secretary for IT, BT and S&T, said the government received more than 16 expressions of interest. He said some companies are from the US and Europe.

He said a technical team would prepare the shortlist by February 20.

The government is now acting towards setting up an expert committee to give shape to its dream of setting up the best nano-park in the country. Besides the initial grant of Rs20 crore, efforts are on to seek funds from the Union ministries of S&T and information technology.

http://www.dnaindia.com/bangalore/report_well-have-the-best-nanotech-park-in-india_1646450

We’ll have the best nanotech park in India



http://www.dnaindia.com/bangalore/report_well-have-the-best-nanotech-park-in-india_1646450

Great plan!

Vijesh Kamath, Bangalore, Feb 4, 2012, DHNS:
It accounts for eight per cent of the Gross Domestic Product
A slew of changes in the construction sector is on the cards including enactment of a uniform construction law across the country, training programmes for construction workers, setting up of sector-specific banks and insurance policies among others.

The construction sector, which employs four crore people, has been contributing around eight per cent to the national Gross Domestic Product in the last five years, with an annual average asset creation of Rs 4.15 crore. The sector, however, remains largely unorganised.

A steering committee on construction constituted by the Planning Commission in the run-up to the formulation of the 12th Five Year Plan (2012-17) is looking at ways to provide a boost to the sector by recommending changes in regulatory framework, reviewing the present financial models for construction work and enhancing skill development of manpower.

The committee, which held its meeting in the City recently, wherein different stakeholders from construction sector including national experts participated, is deliberating on reports submitted by six working groups.

These pertain to regulatory framework, procurement system and dispute resolution, human resources development, institutional financing, quality standards and environment issue, research and development in the construction sector.

The reports of the working groups, copies of which are available with Deccan Herald, speak of formulation of a common construction law across the country. At present, construction activities are administered through 32 laws, rules and statutes. Besides, there is no singular nodal agency empowered by the government to administer construction activities. The committee, in its draft report arrived at the Bangalore meeting, is of the opinion that enacting a unified set of provisions leading to enactment of a construction law would be a major necessity.

Another major recommendation that the steering committee will be making to the Planning Commission is the establishment of a “construction bank” dedicated to suit the sector’s financial needs. Countries like China and Singapore have established construction banks.

“The construction bank can offer a wide range of consumer, retail and commercial banking products and service to consumers like retail housing finance and construction finance, investment funds and electronic banking services.

The operational modalities of setting up the construction bank could be in the form of a joint venture with 51 per cent government share and 49 per cent private sector stake,” the report states. Business risks are also being addressed by recommending specific tailor-made insurance products designed for construction sector.

While the construction sector provides direct employment to four crore people in the country, only 5.65 per cent of this strength has the benefit of structured training and education.

“Training, skill upgrading and certification of skills need to be taken up vigorously where the government and industry have to join hands. The resources to meet the monitory requirement could be channeled through welfare cess and Provident Fund deposits as well as from the training funds earmarked under various state and centrally sponsored schemes,” the committee has stated in its draft report.

The steering committee will be submitting its final report to the Planning Commission in the next few days, official sources said.

DHNS (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/224605/uniform-law-construction-sector-cards.html)

Govind D. Belgaumkar

http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/00914/03mngbr_Fisheries_p_914871e.jpg
The Mangalore Fisheries port activities are simmering down to a minimum with the run up to the official fisheries ban beginning from June 10.

On the face it, it appears that the State government is interested in evolving a policy on fisheries as promised in the BJP's manifesto going by a draft policy published on the website of the State's Fisheries Department.

But that there is hardly any concerted effort in this direction is clear from the fact that none of fishermen organisations have been kept in the loop. Even a district-level officer of the department said he was not aware of any draft policy.

The policy will affect lakhs of fishermen in Karnataka. Associations of the fishermen estimate the population of the fishing fraternity to be around 50 lakh including about 3 lakh in the coastal districts of the State.

P.M. Tandel, President of Karwar-based Akhila Karnataka Fishermen's Parishath, which represents both inland and marine fishermen, told The Hindu that nobody had brought to his notice that a draft policy had been prepared.

Vasudev Boloor, General Secretary of the Coastal Karnataka Fishermen's Action Committee, too said the draft policy had not been brought to the notice of any of associations of the fishermen. Most of the 50-odd associations in Coastal Karnataka were members of the Action Committee.

As far as the draft policy on the website is concerned, it opens with the words “For comments” in bold letters. It adds “The comments may please be sent to the following email id – dfkarnataka@rediffmail.com. It offers no background on the framing of the draft, nor about the future course of action. There is no Kannada version of the draft policy either.

Mr. Boloor said since most fishermen could not understand English. “Karnataka's fisheries policy has to be in Kannada,” Mr. Boloor said. Fishermen, including Mr. Boloor, are not computer savvy is clear from the fact that he asked this correspondent, “Do you have a copy of the draft?” He said he would need help to download the draft from the website.

Joint Director of Fisheries Gangadhar V. Maddikeri speaking to The Hindu over phone from Bangalore admitted that much attention had not been paid to the matter. He said efforts would be made to circulate the copies of the policy to fishermen.

Kannada version would be made available, he said and added no deadline had been fixed for receiving comments., he said

The Hindu (http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-karnataka/article2864586.ece)

House passes bill making RWH mandatory

The Legislative Assembly on Tuesday passed an amendment bill that proposes to make rainwater harvesting mandatory in all city corporations of the State.

Rainwater harvesting is already mandatory in Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) limits with the Assembly passing the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage (Amendment) Bill, last year, making it mandatory for citizens living within the jurisdiction of the Palike to install rainwater harvesting systems in their buildings.

Piloting the Karnataka Municipalities and Certain Other Law (Amendment) Bill, 2011, Urban Development Minister Suresh Kumar said the bill proposes to make it mandatory to build rainwater harvesting structures by households in municipal corporation areas. The deadline for installation of rainwater harvesting structures will be notified by the respective corporations.

Every owner or occupier of a building on a site of area not less than 2,400 sq ft, or every owner who proposes to construct a building of area not less than 1,200 sq ft will have to provide space for rainwater harvesting from the date specified by the government, the bill states.

The bill also proposes to exempt 50 per cent property tax on building and land belonging to ex-servicemen or members of the family of ex-servicemen.

Property tax
The bill also proposes to enhance the upper limit of property tax leviable by municipal bodies under different categories. Suresh Kumar said had to be taken as per the guidelines of the 13th Finance Commission. “We are enhancing only the ceiling and that need not mean that the property tax rates will be hiked,” he said.http://www.deccanherald.com/content/225483/house-passes-bill-making-rwh.html

Rs 110-cr budget provision for watershed, soil enrichment in Karnataka

The Karnataka Government has made budget provision of Rs 110 crore for watershed and soil enrichment (‘BhooChetana') project, for the year 2012-13, which is being implemented in collaboration with the International Crops Research Institute for Semi Arid Tropics (Icrisat).

Mr Suhas P. Wani, Programme Director - Resilient dry land Systems, Icrisat told Business Line that the farmers who implemented ‘BhooChetana' on their fields have witnessed improvement in their farm management practices and are experiencing the benefits of inter cropping on their fields and this has also boosted their earnings.

Mr K.V. Sarvesh, Karnataka Director Agriculture Department, said the State has set a target of achieving over 60 per cent under ‘BhooChetana' at 50 lakh hectares for the year 2012-13 as compared to 30.79 lakh hectares achieved in 2011-12,”

“In 2011-12 kharif season, we were able to achieve 25.39 lakh hectares covering 30 districts and during rabi season, 13 districts with an area of 5.4 lakh hectares was covered,” Mr Sarvesh added.
Enhanced yield

The introduction of watershed and soil enrichment methods has enhanced yields ranging from 25-50 per cent from districts in treated plots in comparison with non-treated plots in the State.

For the programme, Icrisat has given active technical support focusing on soil enrichment and productivity and in rain-fed areas.
To raise farm output

The State Government implemented ‘BhooChetana' on mission mode project in 2009 to improve the livelyhood of the dry land farmers by increasing agricultural productivity.

The project commenced during kharif 2009-10 was initially implemented in six districts – Dharwad, Haveri, Chitradurga, Tumkur, Chikkaballapur and Kolar.

Mr Sarvesh said “Initially an area of 2.25 lakh hectares covering four crops – groundnut, ragi, maize and soyabean was taken up. Now about 20 crops and the entire State is covered.” http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/agri-biz/article2875391.ece?homepage=true&ref=wl_home

The Impact Of IT / ITES On Real Estate In Bangalore

The Information Technology sector has a special significance for India, because India’s competence in this sector has made it a net exporter of IT services. It was the fastest growing sector of the nineties and continues to fast-track careers, spending power, local economies and real estate growth even today.

The IT industry has three major components:

The IT software and services industry
The IT hardware, peripherals and networking industry
The IT enabled services industry
The software sector has already established itself as a fast-growing sector. ITES includes services such as call centers, transcription, data processing, online education, etc. It has made a huge impact on international workflow into India, mainly because of low communication costs and the financial sense behind outsourcing non-core activities. It is an obvious advantage for any modern city to have a significant presence of this industry, which is creates white-collar, high-profile jobs and has remarkable effects on its real estate market.

Impact On Real Estate

Bangalore, the Silicon Valley of India, has advantages like abundantly available skilled workforce, a high quality of living and inherent brand value, better career-growth prospects, availability of good telecommunication infrastructure and proactive Government policy initiatives. At the same time, other factors like the cost of real estate and ready access to international destinations also matter.

A majority of commercial developments in the city have been done by the Private Sector and the BDA (Bangalore Development Authority) controls the growth process of the city. The city’s commercial market is delineated into three spatial limits – CBD, Suburban and Peripheral. Bangalore has no true concept of Central Business District. This flexibility has resulted in business growth from MG Road to other main roads such as Residency Road, Richmond Road and Brigade Road, Infantry Road and Cunningham Road.

The Prime CBD consists of MG Road, Brigade Road and by-lanes directly around these two roads. With the spiralling costs of real estate on MG Road and unavailability of good quality premium space, the CBD extended towards the North and South of MG Road. It has the city’s most premium quality office space and retail outlets. Usage on Brigade Road is primarily retail and commands higher rental and capital values.

Some of the prominent streets in prime off-CBD areas are Commercial Street, Infantry Road, Cunningham Road, Richmond Road, Residency Road, Millers Road, St.Mark’s Road, Vittal Mallya Road and Lavelle Road. These areas have seen strong development activities over the past few years. The advantages they offer are reduced congestion, availability of space, proximity to the city center and cost benefits relative to the city center. The suburbs of Bangalore are classified as areas near to Airport Road, Koramangala, Indiranagar and Jayanagar. The peripheral areas comprise of Bellary Road, Whitefield, and Bannerghatta Road.

Consolidation of real estate portfolios by both Indian and Multinational (MNC) Information Technology (IT) companies has significantly boosted the real estate market in Bangalore. In this sector, both software and hardware have been huge contributors to the growth of the Central Business District, off-CBD and suburban areas. The city provides a considerable supply of large continuous floor plates in the suburbs. Most of the MNCs prefer leasing as it offers flexibility when it comes to relocation.

Demand for back-offices and contact centers has resulted in continued strong growth in suburban real estate development, with leading IT companies lining up their investments for setting up new facilities in Bangalore. The continued interest of these MNCs clearly reflects that Bangalore offers many factors that are key in the IT / ITES space. Growth in demand for back-offices and contact centers is ensuring continued growth in Bangalore’s CBD and suburban real estate developments.

http://www.india-real-estate-news.com/blog/2012/02/13/the-impact-of-it-ites-on-real-estate-in-bangalore/

K'taka attracts investment proposals worth over Rs 9.8 lakh cr
(http://business-standard.com/india/news/ktaka-attracts-investment-proposals-worth-over-rs-98-lakh-cr/157854/on)
Press Trust of India / Bangalore Feb 13, 2012, 18:08 IST

Karnataka has emerged as the fifth most lucrative investment destination attracting investment proposals worth Rs 9.85 lakh crore at the end of 2011, industry body Assocham said today. Karnataka has clocked 8.18% in the total live investments worth Rs 120.34 lakh crore at the end of the year, according to The Associated Chamber of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM).

"Out of the 20 industrial states, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and Karnataka have clearly emerged as the preferred investment destinations by attracting 53.56% of the total live investments," said D S Rawat, national secretary general of ASSOCHAM. Out of the total investment proposals Karnataka attracted 38.9% in manufacturing, 24.6% in services, 15.2% in real estate, 5.6% in irrigation and 1.5% in mining.

Gujarat with 16.28 lakh crore has emerged as the most preferred investment destination followed by Maharashtra Rs.14.14 lakh crore, Andhra Pradesh Rs.12.09 lakh crore, Odisha Rs 12.09 lakh crore, Karnataka Rs. 9.85 lakh crore and the remaining 15 states attracted total investment proposals worth Rs 55.89 lakh crore.

As regards the share of electricity, the sector has got the highest share of investments in the states of Gujarat, Odisha, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. The bottom five states to focus on electricity are Assam, Kerala, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Haryana. Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh emphasise more on the development of services sector. The states of Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jharkhand and Assam have lesser focus on services sector.

Out of the total proposals, Gujarat attracted 39.2% in electricity, 24.2 in manufacturing, 16.2% in services, 14.3% in real estate, 5.2% in irrigation and 0.9% in mining.

Out of the total proposals, Maharashtra attracted 37.1% in services, 31.7% in electricity, 18.7% in real estate, 11% in manufacturing, 1.1% in irrigation and 0.5% in mining.

Andhra Pradesh, of the total proposals, attracted 32.5% in electricity, 21.7 % in manufacturing, 19.8% in services, 11.6 % in irrigation, 11.6% in real estate and 2.8% in mining.

Odisha, of the total proposals worth Rs 12.09 lakh crore, attracted 44.2% in manufacturing, 40.4% in electricity, 7.4% in services, 6.5% in mining, 0.9% in real estate and 0.6% in irrigation.

For the real estate sector,Haryana was a major destination as it attracted 49.7% of the total investment proposals.

For the electricity sector, Uttarakhand received 75.1% of the total investment of Rs 1.07 lakh crore,followed by Chhattisgarh, 66% of Rs 4.56 lakh crore,Bihar 65.2% of Rs 2.38 lakh crore), Himachal Pradesh 63.2% of Rs 84,062 crore and Madhya Pradesh 59.4% of Rs 5.65 lakh crore. Odisha emerged second to Jharkhand as far as manufacturing was concerned. While manufacturing has got 63.1% share in total live investments in Jharkhand, the sector has got prominence in Odisha (44.2% share), West Bengal (43.1% share) followed by Karnataka (38.9% share) and Assam (31.9% share).

Karnataka attracts live investment proposals worth over Rs 9.85 lakh crore

Bangalore: Karnataka has emerged as the fifth most lucrative investment destination attracting investment proposals worth Rs.9.85 lakh crore at the end of 2011, industry body ASSOCHAM said today.
Karnataka has clocked a share of about 8.18 per cent in the total live investments worth Rs. 120.34 lakh crore at the end of the year, according to ASSOCHAM.
"Out of the 20 industrial states, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and Karnataka have clearly emerged as the preferred investment destinations by attracting 53.56 per cent of the total live investments," said D S Rawat, national secretary general of ASSOCHAM.
Out of the total investment proposals Karnataka attracted 38.9 per cent in manufacturing, 24.6 per cent in services, 15.2 per cent in real estate, 5.6 per cent in irrigation and 1.5 per cent in mining.
Gujarat with 16.28 lakh crore has emerged as the most preferred investment destination followed by Maharashtra Rs.14.14 lakh crore, Andhra Pradesh Rs.12.09 lakh crore, Odisha Rs. 12.09 lakh crore, Karnataka Rs. 9.85 lakh crore and the remaining 15 states attracted total investment proposals worth Rs. 55.89 lakh crore. http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/indicators/karnataka-attracts-live-investment-proposals-worth-over-rs-9-85-lakh-crore/articleshow/11872943.cms

Preparing a vision for Karnataka's exports in 2020

At a time when the country is hoping to achieve an ambitious export target of $500 billion by 2014-15, the export sector in Karnataka is planning big for boosting the growth of the sector.

To make this a reality, a one-day exporters' conclave — Karnataka: Export Vision 2020 — is aiming to prepare a roadmap for export sector in the state.

Being organised by the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO), the conclave is set to witness participation from all the stakeholders – governments, exporters and bureaucracy.

Mr Walter D'Souza, Chairman of the Southern Region of FIEO, said that despite the slowdown in export growth and uncertainties in the country's major markets such as the European Union and the US, FIEO has set an export target of over $500 billion by 2014-15.

To achieve this target, there is need for giving attention to various sectors such as road, port and railways among others, apart from policy initiatives from various government departments.

He said that several other issues, especially related to the State Government and various Central Government departments, need to be attended on priority to take care of the envisaged growth.

In such a situation, FIEO with the support of the Chambers of Commerce in Karnataka and other trade organisations has taken this initiative to prepare a roadmap.

Stating that FIEO will come out with a ‘Vision 2020' document for Karnataka by March 31, Mr D'Souza said this document will help increase Karnataka's export share from the present six per cent to 10 per cent in the country's total exports. It will mainly focus on areas such as agro exports and marine exports from the State, in addition to the information technology (IT) and IT-enabled services.

INFRA ADVANTAGE

Recently addressing a press conference in Mangalore, Mr M. Veerappa Moily, Union Corporate Affairs Minister, had stated that infrastructure facilities such as sea port, airport, road and rail connectivity in Mangalore could help boost growth of exports from Karnataka.

The exporters' conclave is aimed at focusing on the possibilities of the State to achieve desired growth by augmenting fully all the available resources. The programme also focuses on the importance in understanding the goals, bringing about an alignment in various government department's combined efforts and realising optimal synergies in action.

Mr D'Souza said that the programme will come up with the suggestions which will enable the State and the Central governments to ensure all class of society to find their due space for an inclusive growth process leading to a prosperous State.

The programme will attempt to chart out a long-term development plan for the State. This includes profiling various dimensions of State's developments including its demography, economy, human development, etc.

Sessions

One of the technical sessions of the conclave will deliberate on identifying challenges and countering strategy for achieving exports of $500 billion by 2013-14, and another will focus on constraints of capacity, connectivity, efficiency and high user charges of shipping with bearing on export-import trade.

He said that the challenges of mandatory cost accountant certification, limited liability partnership, and merger and closure of companies will also be discussed in the technical sessions.

All these sessions will be chaired by the ministers of respective departments, along with senior officials of the department. Nearly 250 delegates are likely to attend the convention, he said.

Specialised activities

Highlighting the various services offered by FIEO for the exporters, he said it provides online chat service by DG and CEO of FIEO with the exporters on its Web site – www.fieo.org -- every Wednesday from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. for online clarification on international trade issues including policy issues.

FIEO provides live clarification on all international trade issues through the all-India toll free number 1800-121-9000.

Apart from organising buyer-seller meets in India and abroad, the federation organises trade fairs and exhibitions abroad. It also sponsors incoming and outgoing business delegations, he said.

Market development grants to the exporters on behalf of the Department of Commerce are disbursed from FIEO.

Mr D'Souza said that FIEO empowers new entrepreneurs (particularly MSMEs) with various facets of international trade, and it is an interface between MSME export sector and the Government.

It facilitates bilateral and multilateral trade negotiations; and conducts market surveys, market intelligence, data analysis and disseminates them, he said.

Some initiatives

According to Mr D'Souza, FIEO has set up India Trade Centre named ‘Indus Trade Services FZE' in Sharjah. It will function as a service provider company to provide easy access to the Gulf and the North African markets.

With this, exporters can set up offshore marketing office along with facilities such as re-distribution, re-export, re-packing, processing, finishing, assembling and packaging.

The facility offers sea, land and air transport links with access to over two billion consumers across the Gulf countries, Asian sub-continent, parts of Africa, and Europe among others, he said.

Recently FIEO, in association with the Karnataka Government and the National Jute Board, set up an India pavilion in one of the international exhibitions. FIEO participated in the 15th Kenya International Trade Exhibition at Nairobi in November 2011.

Exporters dealing in textiles, readymade garments, engineering, jute products, ayurvedic products, chemicals and food products were part of the delegation that participated in the exhibition.

Mr D'Souza said that FIEO has been actively promoting trade with African region. Since the business visitors were form Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Uganda, Somalia, Mozambique and Zaire, the Indian exporters found it as a good opportunity for them, he said.

According to him, East African countries were becoming increasingly important to India because of their brisk growth and the business environment they offer. Kenya is the biggest economy within the East African countries and is generally perceived as Eastern and central Africa's hub for financial, communication and transportation services. http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/economy/article2886175.ece?homepage=true&ref=wl_home

Govt to set up special fund for novel projects

Undeterred by the poor response from senior officers at the State Secretariat, the State government is now planning to set up the District Innovation Fund (DIF) to encourage out-of-the-box thinking among district-level officers.

The DIF will finance innovative projects and schemes aimed at better delivery of services to people. Besides coming up with fresh projects, innovative projects can be designed on the existing capital assets to increase their efficiency.

Every district will get Rs one crore under the DIF, and the deputy commissioners will be authorised to select the projects and schemes, which will be vetted by the State government, official sources in the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms (DPAR) said.

The DIF will be completely funded by the Centre. While 90 per cent of the project cost will be financed under the DIF, remaining 10 per cent has to be shared by the local community (beneficiaries) or non-government organisations. The DIF is one of the recommendations of the 13th Finance Commission to all states.

Ironically, the State government’s initiative to encourage innovative thinking among heads of various departments, boards and corporations has already been met with a cold response.

Even three years after setting up the Challenge Fund with Rs 20 crore to finance innovative projects proposed by senior officers, the government has so far received only eight proposals.

Of this, only one proposal on a mechanised system of clearing garbage by IAS officer Pradeep Singh Kharola has received the government’s approval. The project is presently under implementation, sources said.

Unlike the Challenge Fund, the DIF allows use of money in the existing capital assets to provide immediate benefits to people. The DIF will help fill the vital gaps in the available infrastructure which are not being fully utilised for want of small investments.

For instance, a small project can be taken up to plug the leakage of a sluice gate to increase irrigation potential. Similarly, the DIF can be used for providing necessary diagnostic equipment at a government hospital for better service delivery. Such projects can be easily identified at the district level, officials explained.

To bring in competition among districts, the government is also planning to make a provision to reallocate unutilised funds to districts which have come up with more innovative projects. A high-level committee headed by the additional chief secretary will be set up to monitor project implementation.

Innovative

* Govt to set up District Innovation Fund to promote out-of-the-box thinking among officials
* DIF aims at better delivery of services to people
* It can also be used for increasing efficiency of the existing infrastructure
* Every district will get Rs 1 crore under DIFhttp://www.deccanherald.com/content/226973/govt-set-up-special-fund.html

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Puravankara plans 17 million square feet of projects

Puravankara Projects, the Bangalore-based publicly-held realtor, is looking to roll out 17 million square feet of residential projects in the near future. The
company which focuses as much as 95 per cent on residential projects said that approvals for these projects are in the pipeline and they hope to have
them in place in 12-18 months time.

The company which posted a net profit growth of 14 per cent to Rs 32 crore for the third quarter of FY12 as compared to the corresponding previous quarter said that though the macro-situation is tough, the demand for housing has been good in Bangalore and other South Indian states, a market on which Puravankara focuses on.

“The profitability has come down. The rate at which the cost of input materials is going up, the profitability is not matching up. However, there is no shortage of demand. The recent move by RBI to relax rates will certainly boost the sentiment,” Ravi Puravankara, chairman and managing director,
Puravankara Projects told Business Standard.

The company, last year sold 3.1 million square feet of projects as compared to 2.4 million square feet in the earlier year. “While the volume in terms in
number of units is going up, we are not able to pass on the price hike. As a result of this, the net margins which was earlier in the range of 30 per cent, has come down now,” he added.

‘Biofuel info centres in all districts soon’

"In six months time, all the districts in Karnataka will have Biofuel Information and Demonstration Centre," said YB Ramakrishna, executive chairman, Karnataka State Bio Fuel Development Board, Bangalore.

Delivering keynote address in an interaction programme on 'Blending Bio-Diesel for backup generators used in buildings' conducted by Karnataka State Biofuel Development Board in association with Biofuel Information and Demonstration Centre, Mysore at NIE CREST here on Saturday, he said, "Soon ground vehicles at the Bangalore International Airport vehicles will start using Biodiesel. All the vehicles will have 10 per cent of biodiesel. The official inauguration of the initiative will be held on February 22. A recommendation will be sent to government to remove VAT on Biodiesel."

Already the Biofuel Information and Demonstration Centre is established in 16 different districts and by June this year all the districts will be having this centre, pointed Ramakrishna during his keynote address in the interaction program.

Lakshmi Narayan, treasurer, National Institute of Engineering, who prisided over the programme. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mysore/Biofuel-info-centres-in-all-districts-soon/articleshow/11946474.cms

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Sical gets approval to convert iron ore terminal into a coal facility

The board of Union government-controlled Ennore Port Ltd has approved a request from Sical Iron Ore Terminals Ltd to handle coal at its Rs500 crore iron ore-loading facility after a ban on export of the ore from Karnataka has rendered the terminal idle since it was opened in January last year.

This is the first instance of such a cargo change being allowed after a port contract has been tendered and awarded.

Sical Iron Ore Terminals is a joint venture firm formed by Sical Logistics Ltd and state-run commodity trader MMTC Ltd to develop and operate the new iron ore terminal at Ennore port in Tamil Nadu, India’s biggest iron ore loading facility, for 30 years. Sical Logistics has a 74% stake in the project while the rest is held by MMTC.

read more:- http://www.livemint.com/2012/02/20004249/Sical-gets-approval-to-convert.html

Folks
check the link of the opening Ceremony of Asian Mall in Gulbarga ( Laser Show)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=Ba5n4EIDCso (http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=Ba5n4EIDCso)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=08OLLpx-9BI (http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=08OLLpx-9BI)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=05HwILe2yyc (http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=05HwILe2yyc)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=NoTnoI1_FE4 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=NoTnoI1_FE4)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=CkutLThV0rU (http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=CkutLThV0rU)

Enjoy

Mangalore has to wait till 2021 for JNNURM funds

Published: Monday, Feb 27, 2012, 13:52 IST
By M Raghuram | Place: Mangalore | Agency: DNA


This coastal city will have to wait for nine more years to receive funds under the Jawaharalal Nehru National Urban Reconstruction Mission (JNNURM).

The eligibility for a city to get the funds is to have a population of 10 lakh. Mangalore will have this population only in 2021.

The mission’s funds are available only to two cities in the state, Bangalore and Mysore. The population reached 10 lakh in Mysore in 2005 and this enabled the city to receive the funds from 2006-07.

In the case of Mangalore, the Mangalore Urban Development Authority (MUDA) and Mangalore City Corporation (MCC) appear to be sticking to the population census figures and they have not applied to the government to get funds from the mission.

“According to the census figures of 2011, the population coming under the jurisdiction of MUDA was 648,434. The area under this jurisdiction extends from the Kerala-Karnataka border to Mulky, covering 30,800 hectares. Of this, only 24,255 hectares was reserved for urban development. In our estimation, Mangalore is a sparsely populated city and the central government will not accede to our appeals for bringing Mangalore into the mission’s map,” said Ramesh S, chairman of MUDA.

The MCC, however, has a different point of view.

Mangalore mayor Praveen Kumar said it is possible for the Union government to waive the population parameters if it wanted to include Mangalore under funding scheme.

“They should start looking at Mangalore as a city that has potential to grow faster than Mysore and other tier-II cities in the state. The criterion should not be population but investment in industry, service and other sectors and, most importantly, the need for urban reconstruction in anticipation of growth in population,” Kumar said.

Officials in the state urban development ministry said that Mangalore qualifies in all respects except population.

The JNNURM committee has indicated that liberalisation policies adopted by the Centre are expected to increase the share of urban population to 40% of total population by 2021.

It was estimated that by 2011, urban areas would contribute about 65% of gross domestic product.

However, this higher productivity is contingent upon the availability and quality of infrastructure services which has not happened in
Mangalore.

DNA (http://www.dnaindia.com/bangalore/report_mangalore-has-to-wait-till-2021-for-jnnurm-funds_1655613)

Looks like Hubli-Dharwad is the only city from KA to qualify for JNNURM 2 apart from Mysore and Bangalore

Mangalore has to wait till 2021 for JNNURM funds



DNA (http://www.dnaindia.com/bangalore/report_mangalore-has-to-wait-till-2021-for-jnnurm-funds_1655613)

Looks like Hubli-Dharwad is the only city from KA to qualify for JNNURM 2 apart from Mysore and Bangalore

Hi Akash..even i read this article in net...do u have any update on JNNURM 2..???this article has many flaws..:bash:

Hi Akash..even i read this article in net...do u have any update on JNNURM 2..???this article has many flaws..:bash:

Don't read much into that article,all I can say is that Hubli-Dharwad is sitting pretty safe as far as JNNURM 2 is concerned :cheers:

Karnataka firm to earn Rs.35 crore selling India's costliest soap

Chennai : Selling India's costliest soap at Rs.720, Karnataka Soaps & Detergents hopes to earn around Rs.35 crore from this newly-launched super premium product next year, a senior company official said Monday.

The Mysore Sandals Millennium soap is made of vegetable oil, special conditioners, moisturizers, vitamin-E, Jojoba-Mimosa, sandal oil, almond oil, hydrolysed milk protein and other specially-selected ingredients.

The Karnataka government undertaking is targeting high net worth individuals (HNIs) and would start doorstep delivery of the soap. Next fiscal, it would market the product in Maharashtra and Gujarat.

"We plan to sell around 600,000 pieces of Mysore Sandals Millennium soap next year of which around 100,000 will be exported. We will also expand our door delivery sales writing to HNI. For the door delivery sales, our price will be lower by 15 percent as there is no retailer margin," D.N. Vasanth Kumar, general manager, marketing, told reporters after the product launch here.

He said the company had already sold around 80 percent of its 14,000 pieces manufactured.

"We have sold 18 pieces in 18 days. Some are repeat customers," M. Seshagiri Babu, managing partner at Kamachi Foods, a franchise of Nilgiris departmental store here, told IANS.

According to Kumar, the company will be sending out around 50,000 letters to HNIs starting next fiscal.

"We found there is a market for super premium soaps as there are imported soaps sold at Rs.1,000 per piece in the market. The premium soap market size is estimated around Rs.5,000 crore," Kumar said.

Apart from HNIs, Karnataka Soaps will be looking at star hotels, health spas and other up-market outlets for selling this super premium product.

Asked about the high price when the soap has 80 percent total fatty matter (TFM) similar to its other products, Kumar said: "The sandal oil content in the soap is far higher than what is in our other products."

The Rs.205 crore turnover company hopes to close this fiscal with a topline of Rs.260 crore and a net profit of Rs.12 crore.

"Nearly 80 percent of our revenue is from Mysore Sandal range of soaps while the balance is from products like agarbathis/incense sticks, detergents, soaps, talcum power and others," said S. Shekar, managing director.

According to him, the company targets a turnover of Rs.300 crore and a net profit of Rs.15 crore next fiscal.

Asked about the absence of the company's baby soap made with almond oil on the retailer's shelves, Kumar agreed there was difficulty in breaking the stranglehold of the rival brand as there is a lack of advertising support.

Kumar said the company's advertising budget was just Rs.5 crore and it will be raised next year to Rs.12 crore.

He said the company is also planning to modernize its soap plant in Karnataka at an outlay of Rs.25 crore to be funded with a mix of debt and internal accruals.

151 services of 11 departments guaranteed from March 1 (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mangalore/151-services-of-11-departments-guaranteed-from-March-1/articleshow/12055729.cms)


MANGALORE: Babus in four taluks in the state will strictly have to guard against procrastination come March 1. On this day, the much vaunted Karnataka Guarantee of Services to Citizens System, pet project of CM DV Sadananda Gowda will go on-stream in a taluk each in Dakshina Kannada, Bidar, Dharwad and Chitradurga districts. After a month long pilot trial in these taluks, the system will be extended to remaining taluks across Karnataka.

What the system essentially means for the common man is that the bureaucracy will have to deliver against time mentioned to a list of services notified in the special edition of Karnataka Gazette dated January 2. In all, 151 services of 11 major government departments have been brought under the ambit of the system. They include commercial taxes, education, food and civil supplies, health and family welfare, home, labour, revenue and transport, RDPR. Backed by the Karnataka Guarantee of Services to Citizens Act, 2011, the system on the home page of its website www.kgsc.kar.nic.in acclaims that it is your right to obtain citizen related services in time. While departments already providing services online will have an interface with the system's website to provide a GSC number to the applicant, others will make use of the call centre to generate the number and provide it to the applicant.

"Clock for official concerned starts ticking from the time that the GSC number is generated," noted V Ponnuraj, commissioner for survey settlement and nodal officer for the project. This GSC number, Ponnuraj told TOI here on Monday would enable the applicant to check the status of his application online at the above website. In case of delay in providing service beyond the stipulated time, the applicant may go in appeal to the appellate authorities. Terming the Gazette notification as the new Bible for Babus - initially in Puttur in DK, Aurad taluk in Bidar, Chitradurga and Dharwad taluks in the respective districts - Ponnuraj said none of the above departments can send back an applicant without an acknowledgement. The government may bring in more services of these 11 departments or extend their number at a later date, he said adding errant officials failing to stick to deadline will be penalised.

Babus cannot relax now :cheers:

http://www.deccanheraldepaper.com/pdf/2012/02/28/20120228a_003104002.jpg

http://www.deccanheraldepaper.com/pdf/2012/02/29/20120229a_002102004.jpg

http://www.deccanheraldepaper.com/pdf/2012/02/29/20120229a_002106001.jpg

Karnataka CM to head overseas to attract investors to state

Chief minister DV Sadananda Gowda is gearing up for a roadshow in the US and Singapore to woo investors as part of his plans to make the Global Investors Meet (GIM), 2012, a grand success.

The meet will be held in Bangalore on June 7 and June 8. Gowda, along with large and medium industries minister Murugesh Nirani, met captains of industries from various countries in New Delhi on Thursday as part of the campaign to promote Karnataka as an investment destination. Sources said three Australian companies expressed keen interest to conduct exploration and mining of gold in Karnataka.

The chief minister announced that he would soon tour the US and Singapore to woo investors to participate in the GIM. He expressed confidence of attracting proposals worth more than `6 lakh crore during the two-day meet. This would create more than 10 lakh jobs, apart from contributing to the state’s economic growth.

Gowda met representatives of 14 Indian companies and six foreign firms. He also held a breakfast meeting with a US delegation, which consisted of 30 companies. He encouraged investors to invest in tier-II cities as they are equipped to offer the best infrastructure and other amenities. He added that the government was committed to providing a special package investment outside Bangalore.

Nirani said that over the last three years, the government had released 11 policies in relation to industries covering agri-business, wine, semi-conductors, SEZ, textiles, mineral, tourism, IT & ITeS and biotech. The most recent was the animation policy, which was released on Wednesday.

Raj Kumar Khatri, infrastructure secretary, said one of the priority areas had been infrastructure development and the state had started integrated development of corridors for intensive economic growth and infrastructure creation. He said the state would shortly introduce an infrastructure bill to facilitate, regulate, and mitigate risk in infrastructure projects. The purpose of this bill is to provide a legal framework for infrastructure development through public-private partnerships and to enhance confidence in potential investors, he added.

The GIM held in 2010 had attracted investment commitments worth Rs3.92 lakh crore. More than 7,000 delegates and 2,000 companies from 21 countries and 21 states attended the meet. The state government said about 62% of the MoUs signed during GIM, 2010, were in various stages of implementation, while 36 units had taken off. Another 36 are in various stages of implementation and 250 units are in the pipeline.http://www.dnaindia.com/bangalore/report_karnataka-cm-to-head-overseas-to-attract-investors-to-state_1657407

Kassia launches B2B portal

BANGALORE, MARCH 2:
Karnataka Small Scale Industries Association (Kassia) has launched kassia.com, a B2B portal to enable small scale industries compete with bigger players in a globalised market.

Mr Suresh Kumar, Karnataka Minister for Urban Development, BWSSB & Parliamentary Affairs, launched the portal at Kassia's Udyog Bhavan in Bangalore.

Giving details of the Web site, Mr Prakash N. Raikar, President, KASSIA, said the portal has been designed in an user friendly way with listings available company/product/category-wise. The database will also include similar information of other industries.

Global wine festival begins in high spirits (http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/marketing/article2954657.ece?ref=wl_industry-and-economy)

BANGALORE, MARCH 2:
About 50 wineries, including ten international names, are participating in the three-day International Wine Festival (IWF) starting from March 2 in Bangalore.

The festival, organised by the Karnataka Wine Board, aims at benefitting all stakeholders of the grape economy — grape growers, wineries and wine connoisseurs.

IWF 2012 is a Karnataka Government initiative to increase wine grape cultivation in the State. The aim is to add 3,000 acres under wine grape cultivation and take the total acreage under to 5,000 acres by 2015. The State also aims to double wine production from the current 2.50 million litres. “We are promoting grape cultivation and setting up wineries to cash in on the growing consumption of wine globally,” said Mr K. G. Suresh Chandran, Managing Director, Karnataka Wine Board.

During the festival, the State will also sign MoUs with new investors who have shown interest to set up new wineries in Karnataka. In the last four years Karnataka has added 12 new wineries.

The State's grapes economy is second only to Maharashtra both in terms of total grapes cultivation and wine production. With grapes being a highly perishable crop, the Government intends to move up the value chain by establishing processing industries for making raisins and also setting up wineries.

Apart from wine tasting and food pairing sessions, the festival will also have seminars on topics such as nutrition and irrigation management in grapes, management of disease in wine grapes and viticulture practices in wine grapes and development of vineyards.

Bharti Walmart eyes Karnataka for southern spread (http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/marketing/article2951017.ece?ref=wl_industry-and-economy)

NEW DELHI, MARCH 1:
Bharti Walmart Pvt Ltd is exploring options to expand in Southern India. The company, which has presence across the Vindhyas in Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra, is keen to enter Karnataka.

The Bharti Walmart Vice-Chairman, Mr Rajan Bharti Mittal, met the Karnataka Chief Minister, Mr D. V. Sadananda Gowda, on Thursday to explore investment options. Details were not available.

The Karnataka Chief Minister held a road show in New Delhi on Wednesday seeking investments for the forthcoming Global Investors Meet (GIM) scheduled for June 7 and 8. Besides, Bharti Walmart, 30 other American companies including Cisco and Shell met Mr Gowda on Thursday.

“An American delegation had called on the Chief Minister and we were also a part of it. We are looking to foray into various geographies in India,” a Bharti Walmart spokesperson said, when contacted.

Bharti Walmart's move to explore investment options comes at a time when German retail chain Metro Cash and Carry has expanded its presence in Northern India in Delhi, where it opened an outlet recently.

The French retailer Carrefour is planning an entry into Agra and Meerut. Metro has been operating two stores in Bangalore for several years now.

Bharti Walmart already has stores in Guntur and Vijaywada in Andhra Pradesh, while Carrefour is yet to make its Southern debut. Bharti Walmart is the joint venture between Bharti Enterprises and Walmart Stores Inc for wholesale, business-to-business and cash-and-carry operations in India. It has 17 stores in India. Mr Raj Jain, Managing Director, recently said Bharti Walmart is planning to open 10-12 stores in 2012.

GIM 2012

Karnataka is looking to attract an investment of Rs 6 lakh crore in the GIM this year, said Industry Minister Mr Murugesh Nirani. The previous edition of the investors meet in 2010 generated investment commitments of some Rs 3.92 lakh crore. About 36 investment proposals have taken off and were in various stages of implementation, while another 250 were in the pipeline, he said.

The thrust this year is on attracting investments in sectors such as gems and jewellery, tourism, textiles among others, Mr Nirani said.

Port makes a strong pitch to export ODCs

MANGALORE: The New Mangalore Port (NMP) is making a pitch for exporting over-dimensional cargo (ODC) and has put in place necessary facilities. Now, the port, which has chiefly handled import of ODCs for public sector unit like MRPL, and UPCL, is making efforts to export ODCs to a certain extent.

While port is already into planned export of ODCs from Suzlon, it has made unplanned export of ODCs in the form of fabricated items for other players.

The second of unplanned export of ODC - weighing 583 metric tonnes and measuring 50.5 metres in length and 11 metres height - left berth number four of NMP on board barge Bloomingdale on Friday. It was towed using a tug named Rose. Manufactured by Phils Heavy Engineering Private Limited at their Baikampady fabrication yard, this ODC is meant for Paradip refinery of Indian Oil Corporation Ltd, says PV Attavar, manager of Phils Heavy Engineering.

S Gopalakrishna, traffic manager, NMP told STOI that the port has the wherewithal to import and export ODCs. While the port used to break open a portion of its compound wall along national highway to facilitate the passage of imported ODCs in the past and reconstruct it later on, it has now taken steps to ensure that such cargo is brought out from silver jubilee gate along Tannirbhavi Road. ODC is brought to and taken out from this gate along the SEZ Corridor Road.

The cargo was loaded on to the barge in a roll-on roll-off operation and was lashed to the barge to ensure its safe passage onwards to Paradip, Attavar said, adding that the cargo will reach Paradip in about three-week time.

TOI (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mangalore/Port-makes-a-strong-pitch-to-export-ODCs/articleshow/12129585.cms)

BELGAUM: Even as the government is all set to organize North-Karnataka level investors' meet in Hubli on Monday ahead of Global Investors Meet (GIM-2012) scheduled in June, it has failed to keep promises made to the investors during GIM held in June-2010. It has defaulted on providing land for industries particularly in Belgaum district.

The government had promised to provide land to 12 investors of the 16 who signed memorandum of understanding (MoU) during GIM-2010. Out of which, nine were promised land through acquisition by the Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board (KIADB), (around 4,460 acres) at the different areas of the district, while three investors were given the go-ahead to purchase land directly from farmers under section 109 of Karnataka Land Reforms Act.

Interestingly, the government has not allotted even a single acre of land to the investors so far, acquired through KIADB, due to strong resistance by farmers. Shree Shiv Sagar Sugar and Agro Products Limited, is the only company to set up its plant at Udapudi in Ramdurg taluk by purchasing around 200 acres land directly from farmers after taking government approval under KLR Act. The proposal of CF Renewable Energy Private Limited, regarding purchasing 60 acres land at Sogal in Savadatti taluk under KLR Act is still pending in revenue secretary level, while Basava Jyoti Sugars Limited has dropped its project planned at Kothali in Chikkodi taluk due to technical reasons.

District minister Umesh Katti, recently during the review meeting expressed his disappointment over the slow functioning of KIADB officials. Minister, who himself signed two MoUs with the government for setting up 1000 MW gas-based power plant in 1,300 acres of area at Vantamuri and to set up 0.5MTPA integrated steel plant at 300 acres of area in Bellad Bagewadi in Hukkeri taluk, said that KIADB didn't approach him in the past one and half years regarding next procedure of the MoU.

The case of Zuari Fertilizers and Chemicals Limited is not different. The company is setting up its 11.55MTPA urea manufacturing unit in 950 acres land at Mastiholi and Managutti villages in Hukkeri taluk. It has also deposited Rs 40.30 crore to the KIADB for holding land acquisition process. KIADB also sent final notification to the farmers in this regard. But the project has been unnecessarily delayed due to farmers opposing the project by holding agitations.

Farmer issues

According to A B Paraddi, joint director of District Industries Centre ( DIC), land acquisition was the major hurdle for the industry set-up. Most of the farmers were not ready to give their lands and those who were ready demanded more compensation, he said.

TOI (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hubli/Ready-for-Global-Investors-Meet-2012-but-wheres-the-land/articleshow/12129708.cms)

Karnataka Govt plans to set up ‘Foundry Cluster' at Dobbspet

BANGALORE, MARCH 4:
The Karnataka Government has identified land in Dobbspet (between Bangalore and Tumkur) to set up the ‘Foundry Cluster,' said Mr Murugesh R. Nirani, Karnataka Industries Minister.

Addressing the 60th Indian Foundry Congress, organised by the Institute of Indian Foundrymen (IIF) in Bangalore, Mr Nirani said, “Earlier, we had proposed a cluster near Dobbspet. But it ran into problems because of issues raised by the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB).”

“A few investors were asked to relocate from that project. But we will address all those problems to revive the project at Dobbspet at the earliest by taking into consideration the growth prospects of the foundry industry,” Mr Nirani added.

INDUSTRIAL CLUSTERS

The ‘Foundry Cluster' was one of the 14 such industry-specific clusters being developed in Karnataka. There are plans to set up industrial clusters for automobiles, gems and jewellery.

“We are in the process of acquiring land for these clusters. We will ensure that the Foundry Cluster becomes reality in the next six months,” Mr Nirani said.

At the proposed foundry cluster, the IIF plans to set up a Centre for Innovation, which includes R&D facilities, training and technology demonstration for foundries. Responding to the IIF's plans, the Minister said the Government would shortly allot two acres of land at Dobbspet to the IIF under a special plan.

Mr R.K. Mathur, Union Secretary for Micro Small and Medium Enterprise, in his address advised the foundry industry to take advantage of the various schemes launched for industry promotion. “Manufacturing has been stagnant at 15 per cent in the country for over several years. Unless, manufacturing contributes 25 per cent to the nation's GDP, balanced growth is not possible,” he pointed out.

In his opening remarks, Dr. H. Sundara Murthy, President, IIF, said the foundry industry in the country was growing at a healthy rate of 22 per cent. Automobiles, aerospace and public infrastructure were strong growth indicators for the foundry industry, he said and added that the Government had to contribute in a big way to facilitate the consolidation of the foundries.

The Dobbspet Foundry Cluster will be the second such industrial estate for foundry in Karnataka with a similar facility already operating in Belgaum.

Mr Nirani said the Government was committed to the growth of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), under which the majority of foundries are identified. “We are also aware of the problems of the Indian foundry industry. We will make sure that these problems are solved quickly to facilitate the growth of the foundry industry in Karnataka,” he said.

PENDING SUBSIDY

The Government plans to release the pending subsidy due to various small scale industries (SSI). “I am aware that the Government owes subsidy to the tune of several crores of rupees. We will make budgetary allocation during 2012-13 to clear the entire subsidy due this year itself,” Mr Nirani added.

Investors sign MoUs worth Rs. 4,509 crore

Projects likely to create employment for 23,272 people

Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) for projects worth Rs. 4,509 crore that are likely to create employment for 23,272 people were signed during the North Karnataka Investors' Meet held in Hubli on Monday.

Investors and industrialists from the districts of Bagalkot, Belgaum, Bijapur, Dharwad, Gadag, Haveri and Uttar Kannada had participated in the Investors' Meet which was formally inaugurated by district in-charge and Minister for Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Jagadish Shettar.

Large and Medium Industries Minister Murugesh Nirani was present when MoUs were signed by investors from each of the seven districts participating in the meet.

The MoUs signed are mainly in the sector of pharmaceuticals, sugar industry, food processing and cold storage, engineering and automobiles.

Earlier inaugurating the Investors' Meet, Mr. Jagadish Shettar said that the infrastructure in the north Karnataka region had improved in the last few years and that needs to be highlighted.

He said that Karnataka had been considered as one among the best places for investment in the country by organisations like ASSOCHAM.

“The advantages that the State has with regard to investment needs should to be highlighted and the investors should be urged to make use of them”, he said.Mr. Shettar said that availability of adequate land for industries in each district would help in uniform industrial development based on their strengths.

Booklets released

Water Resources Minister Basavaraj Bommai released booklets on seven districts for which the meet was held. Mohan Limbikai, MLC, stressed the need for motivating the investors to explore the untapped potential of each of the districts.

Pralhad Joshi, MP, said that while infrastructure was important for facilitating industrial development it was also necessary that the respective cities were marketed by the stakeholders.

He said that every stakeholder's role was equally important in promoting a place as ideal for investment and called on everyone to contribute towards the common goal.

Presiding over the inaugural function, Large and Medium Industries Minister Murugesh Nirani said with regard to the MoUs signed during the Global Investors' Meet in 2010, while 36 projects had already been implemented, 282 projects were under various stages of implementation.

He said the department had already mooted creation of 14 industrial parks for development of various sectors keeping in mind the potential of the respective districts including Silver Park in Belgaum, Gems and Jewellery Park in Bangalore, and Stona Tech Park near Bangalore.

Referring to the opposition to land acquisition in some cases, Mr Nirani said that politicising of the issues had created some hurdles for the Government in going ahead with its plans for industrial development and said that many farmers were willing to give their lands for industries provided adequate compensation was given.

Earlier, Commissioner, Industrial Development and Director of Industries and Commerce M. Maheshwar Rao, Managing Director of KSSIDC D.S. Vishwanath, and Deputy Commissioner of Dharwad Darpan Jain were among those present.

Basavaraj Bommai releases booklets

on seven districts 14 industrial parks in the State have been planned, says Murugesh Niranihttp://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-karnataka/article2965290.ece

Karnataka govt inks 10 MoUs with new investors to set up wineries in state

The Karnataka government, through its venture, the Karnataka Wine Board (KWB), has inked 10 memoranda of understanding (MoU) to set up new wineries in the state. These companies are Nisarga Wines Pvt. Ltd; Indira Ambience Pvt. Ltd; Rico Wineries; Krishna Valley Wines; Heritage Wines; Elite Wineries; Krishnamruga Wineyard; Dada Winery; Nandi Valley Winery and Alpine Wineries Pvt. Ltd.

"We have gone on to sign memoranda of understanding with new investors to set up new wineries in Karnataka. In the last four years the state has added 12 new wineries and there are five more in the pipeline," informed K G Suresh Chandran, managing director, KWB.

KWB espoused the cause of the state's grapes economy, as part of its efforts to consolidate its position both nationally and globally. In this regard, the government chalked out ambitious plans to showcase the potential of the agro-based grape and wine industries.

The plans covered would augment an additional 3,000 acres and take the total acreage under wine grape cultivation to 5,000 acres by 2015. Simultaneously, the state aims to double the wine production from the current 2.50 million litres.

The state, with 17,356 hectares under grapes and an estimated annual production of 3.18 lakh metric tonnes, is second only to Maharashtra both in terms of acreage and production. Against this backdrop, encouraging the setting up of processing units and promoting the wine industry assumes great importance in the larger interest of the economy and farmers (grape-growers) in particular.

According to Subhir Hari Singh, additional chief secretary & development commissioner, and chairman, KWB, there is a need to create awareness about grapes and wine-making amongst farmers, entrepreneurs and the general public. This was one of the ways to provide Karnataka wineries global exposure and facilitate technological tie-ups between domestic entrepreneurs and foreign wine-makers.

Not only that, KWB, in this regard, had organised the International Wine Festival 2012 (IWF 2012) in the city recently. The festival was co-sponsored by the ministry of food processing industries (MoFPI), the National Horticulture Board (NHB), the Karnataka State Agricultural Produce Processing and Export Corporation Limited (KAPPEC) & the Karnataka State Beverages Corporation Limited (KSBCL). Various state departments, including horticulture, industries and commerce, tourism, excise and police had also co-ordinated the activities.

"Having created the back-end infrastructure, the board has turned its attention to promotional aspects, and IWF 2012 was the first major attempt in this direction," informed Chandran.

There were 50 wineries, including 10 global wineries, which participated in the event, along with a host of machinery suppliers and agro-input service providers who exhibited their latest offerings. The festival also had wine-tasting sessions aimed at encouraging wine consumption and offering wineries a chance to interact directly with consumers.

The government was keen to ameliorate the problems of grape-growers, said Vandita Sharma, principal secretary, horticulture. A sustainable long-term solution is the need of the hour, and the wine festival is a dedicated attempt to provide forward linkages to the agro-based industry. This is where IWF 2012 created a platform for the stakeholders to further nurture wine grape cultivation and wine production in Karnataka.

The state's congenial agro-climatic conditions have helped the cultivation of grapes. Farmers from different regions have been making the best use of the situation by successfully growing grapes for several decades. Despite the government's best efforts, the marketing of fresh grapes through Hopcoms (Horticultural Producers' Co-operative Marketing and Processing Society Ltd) outlets proved to be a major challenge. This led the government to formulate the Karnataka Grape Processing and Wine Policy, 2007, which was a crucial effort to micro-manage the grape economy, with KWB designated as nodal agency to ensure a harmonious growth of both grapes and the wine industry in the state, according to P Hemalatha, director of horticulture, Lalbagh, Bangalore.

The efforts of KWB have started showing results and during the last four years, the state has witnessed an increase in the area of wine grape cultivation from a mere 300 acres to over 2,000 acres, an addition of 12 new wineries and 180 wine taverns, among others. http://www.fnbnews.com/article/detnews.asp?articleid=31424&sectionid=1

Rs 4,000 cr sought for housing in Karnataka

An allocation of Rs 4,000 crore has been sought in the 2012-13 Budget for providing housing facilities in Karnataka. According to a survey, 900,000 poor people are now without a roof over their head in the state.

To provide housing for these sections, the state government had sanctioned construction of 640,000 houses during 2011-12.

The survey was conducted against the background of Rajiv Gandhi Housing Scheme, Ambedkar and Indira Awaz housing scheme of the Government of India, which are under implementation, and the state government’s Basava housing scheme that was launched a year and a half ago.

According to housing Minister V Somanna, Rs 50,000 would be made available in four instalments to the identified poor directly to build houses. The beneficiaries will receive the amount directly to overcome harassment at the hands of mediators.

There will be no discrimination in identifying the beneficiaries, he said, while inaugurating distribution of title deeds of 9,000 houses in the Varuna Assembly constituency of Mysore district.

It is proposed to construct 56,000 houses under these schemes and sanction has already been given for construction of 20,000 houses. Of these, 9,000 houses have been sanctioned for the Varuna Assembly constituency where about 57,000 people have been identified as houseless.

Chamarajanagar MP R Dhruvanarayan urged for separate allocation for construction of toilets while sanctioning money for house construction. He pointed out that the government provided Rs 3,100 for construction of toilets.

Meanwhile, opposition leader Siddaramaiah also urged the state government to double the amount given for house construction, from Rs 50,000 to Rs 1 lakh.

Handing over title deeds of houses at Hosakote village in the Nanjangud taluk under the Basava housing scheme, he said Rs 50,000 currently given was insufficient to build a house as prices had risen. This, therefore, needed to be doubled. Despite the government distributing 200,000 houses each year, the number of houseless was increasing in the state.

“How much we grow is not important, but whether all are getting food is more important. Similarly, we should ensure other benefits too reach the poor,” said the MLA.http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/rs-4000-cr-sought-for-housing-in-karnataka/466797/

Free run on ground water use to end now

The efforts of Minor Irrigation, Water Resources, Mines and Geology Departments and Central Ground Water Board to curb exploitation of depleting ground water levels are ready to bear fruit with the legal draft getting ready for notification this week.

The rules and regulations framed for setting up Karnataka Ground Water Authority have got the approval of Legal Department and will be sent for final notification.

Speaking to Express, Water Resources Department Secretary P N Sreenivasachary said, “Rules and regulations for the authority are framed by the Water Resources Department and Department of Mines and Geology. The rules were forwarded to the department for approval in December last. We have drafted it and have included valuable suggestions given to us by the public. The authority will start functioning once the official notification is issued.”

The authority will be headed by the Chairman of the Water Resources Department with the Director of Mines and Geology as member-secretary. It will start functioning with some government officials like Chief Engineer of the BWSSB, Chairman of the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board, some farmer representatives and other nominated members with special knowledge or practical experiences in matters relating to ground water.

Additional Director (Ground Water), Department of Mines and Geology, H M Khyum Ali said, “The authority will start functioning from March end or April. A budget provision of `40 lakh has been sought for setting up an office, appointment of working staff, etc.”

Out of the 175 taluks, 35 have been declared as ‘over-exploited blocks’ where the ground water has been used over 200 per cent. Bangalore Urban, Bangalore Rural, Ramnagar, Kolar, Chikaballapur and some areas of Tumkur are topping the list in this category, as per the census conducted by the Department of Mines and� Geology.

Once the authority starts functioning, all ground water users in the notified area should register with the authority within 120 days by paying a nominal fee. There are about 3.5 lakh bore wells in and around Bangalore and there are about 9.7 lakh irrigation bore wells in the state.

Permission must be taken from the authority to sink bore wells (initially in the areas notified by the authority). Rigs which drill bore wells, should also get registered and violators of the regulations will be penalised by the authority.http://ibnlive.in.com/news/free-run-on-ground-water-use-to-end-now/236546-60-119.html

Panel: Ban mining in Western Ghats (http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=TOINEW&BaseHref=TOIBG/2012/03/08&PageLabel=11&EntityId=Ar01100&ViewMode=HTML)
Also Curb Industrial Activity In 45 Districts Across Five States, Say Ecology Experts
Nitin Sethi TNN

New Delhi: In what could dramatically alter economic activity in almost 45 districts across five states — Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu — and the entire state of Goa, a panel of the Union environment ministry has recommended that mining and industrial growth be banned in more than 80 revenue blocks and strictly regulated in another 75-odd revenue blocks or talukas.
It also recommended a large set of regulations on other aspects of regional economy including agriculture, infrastructure and forestry for the region.
The Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel (WGEEP), set up by the environment ministry last year, has submitted a detailed report recommending that the entire Western Ghats area be declared “Ecologically Sensitive Area” with varying degrees of restrictions on economic activity across the identified talukas. It has recommended that development in the region should be regulated by a super-body — Western Ghats Ecology Authority — under the Environment Protection Act, with regional sub-authorities of similar nature. The report was submitted to the government a while back but the massive implications for several states forced the environment ministry to keep the report under wraps even though it was sent it to the state governments for their reaction.
Ecologically Sensitive Areas (ESA) are declared under the Environment Protection Act, 1986 and it allows a single authority to regulate the land use policy and all development activity in a region under the powerful Act to protect environment.
The panel has suggested three levels of ESA with varying degrees of regulation though it said these should be finetuned with local consultations. It suggested that about 80 talukas across the states should fall under strictest control category ESA1 where no mining should be permitted and existing mining projects should be phased out in five years. New polluting industry, such as coal power plants, shouldn’t be permitted and existing industry should be forced to ‘zero pollution’ in five years and regulated strictly.
For agriculture it has recommended that all chemical fertilizer-based agriculture should be converted to organic agriculture in 5 years. A strict regulation of infrastructure projects like roads is also recommended along with a stringent land use policy preventing changes of agriculture land to non-agriculture use (with some exceptions).
The second category of ESA – ESA2 – which it recommends should cover areas in about 75 talukas disallows any new mining but permits existing licenses with firm restrictions. A ban on new polluting industry is suggested for this zone as well though existing polluting industries can continue with regulations, the panel experts has suggested. The third category of zoning in Western Ghats area will have a bit lower level of regulation, the body said. It also made region specific regulations such as stopping mining in a large part of Goa, stopping the Gundia and Athirappilly hydroelectric projects, banning new mining in Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg districts of Maharashtra and maintaining the existing moratorium.

http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/getimage.dll?path=TOIBG/2012/03/08/11/Img/Pc0111300.jpg
LOAD UNLOAD: Trucks transport iron-ore from national mineral development corporation’s mining site in Bellary


:banana2:

German firm Enercon keen to set up 500 MW wind farm in Karnataka

CHENNAI, MARCH 12:
German company Enercon has expressed interest in putting up a 500-MW wind farm in Karnataka.

Confirming this to Business Line, Mr N.S. Prasanna Kumar, Managing Director, Karnataka Renewable Energy Development Ltd (KREDL), said that the State, however, might not be in a position to allow the company to put such a large project.

Enercon is the world's fourth largest wind turbine manufacturer.

In India, however, the company has been facing some headwinds because the German company believes that its Indian partner has stolen its technology. The Germans went to the Indian courts, but lost.

“They have applied for 500 MW but we might allot about 200 MW,” Mr Kumar said. He said that it would be “a problem” if such large projects were allotted but the projects could not be commissioned.

“Suzlon, for instance, has currently occupied about 3,000 MW only 10 per cent of which has been commissioned,” he said. In this context, he added that an upper limit and a time limit would be placed on companies proposing to set up green power projects in the State.

WINNERS TO BE ANNOUNCED

Meanwhile, the winners of the tender for developing solar projects under the Karnataka Solar Mission are expected to be announced in a week.

“The technical bids will be announced in about five days,” Mr Prasanna Kumar said. He said that three of the companies which had bid for the tender have been involved in some enquiry by KREDL and that the final list would be announced once KREDL receives responses from them.

“We have given the companies three days to respond and we expect a response by the weekend,” he said, but declined to disclose what the enquiry was about.

Under the Karnataka Solar Mission, the State had announced that it was targeting 350 MW of solar projects by 2016.

As part of this, KREDL had floated a tender for setting up projects with a total capacity of 80 MW.

The development comes about three months the bids closed on November last year. Twenty two companies had applied for setting up projects. Though the bids closed on November 24, the bid documents weren't opened immediately as the tendering process for the National Solar Mission was on and KREDL wanted to wait for those to close before the allocation of projects under the State solar policy was made.

Meanwhile, in December, the State Energy Department had placed stay on the tender process for developing the projects after few developers had filed a case stating that KREDL should have followed e-tendering procedure for the bidding process for companies to participate in the tender, and that the amount bidders had to pay as security/MW – Rs 20 lakh - was too high for small developers.

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/economy/article2988390.ece?homepage=true&ref=wl_home

V. SRIDHAR

Data shows that the backward northern districts are increasingly a drag on the State in terms of social, economic progress

Rapidly proliferating:The population of Karnataka in 2011 was 6.11 crore, an increase of 15.61 per cent over the previous Census (2001). Bangalore accounts for almost one-sixth of the State's population.— file Photo: K. Murali Kumar

The provisional results of the Census of 2011 is yet another reminder of the extremely uneven nature of development in the State. All the key demographic variables pertaining to the State released on Tuesday — the sex ratio, literacy rate and the proportion of the child population — reflect the sharp divisions within the State. The data reveal that the backward northern districts are increasingly a drag on the State in terms of all these indicators of social and economic progress.

The population of Karnataka in 2011 was 6.11 crore, an increase of 15.61 per cent over the previous Census (2001). Incidentally, the decadal growth was the lowest since the first Census of Independent India in 1951. Bangalore, with a population of almost 96 lakh, accounted for almost one-sixth of the State's population.

Belgaum district, with a population of about 48 lakh, was the second most populous district; the district accounted for almost eight per cent of the State's population.

Uneven distribution

Mysore district accounted for a little less than 5 per cent of the population of Karnataka. Gulbarga, Tumkur and Bellary districts, each had a share of over 4 per cent of the State's population. These five districts thus accounted for about one-fourth of the State's population. The distribution of the State's population is skewed, as indicated by the fact that four out of 10 persons in the State are residents of these six districts, including Bangalore.

The decadal growth in population between the Census of 2001 and the one of 2011, when compared with the period between 1991 and 2001, declined from 17.51 to 15.67 per cent.

However, the exceptions to this overall trend of a slackening of the decadal growth were Bangalore (rate of growth increased from 35 per cent to 46.68 per cent), Bellary (22.41 per cent to 24.92 per cent) Yadgir (20.12 to 22.67). Kodagu recorded the sharpest decline in the decadal growth rate — from 12.31 per cent to 1.13 per cent.

The density of population in the State increased from 276 persons per sq km in 2001 to 319 persons per sq km in 2011. However, like all averages, this too was misleading. For instance, while the density increased sharply in Bangalore, from 2,985 persons per sq km in 2001 to 4,378 persons per sq km in 2011, the density in Kodagu district increased from 134 to 135 persons per sq km during the same decade.

Child population

The Census gathered data on the child population aged up to six, mainly to calculate the literacy rates and also because of its linkage to the potential growth of population in the future. This group's share in the State's population declined from 13.59 per cent in 2001 to 11.21 per cent in 2011.

The decline was marginally higher in the case of female children in this age group. The proportion of the child population in this age group was the highest in Yadgir district (15.83 per cent). The four other less developed districts of north Karnataka — Bijapur, Raichur, Koppal and Gulbarga — also had a high proportion of children to total population. The high proportion of child population, which was usually correlated to a high birth rate, was generally interpreted by demographers as an indicator of social and economic backwardness.

Literacy rates

The first impression from the Census for 2011 was that Karnataka had achieved significant progress in literacy, especially among females, since the last census. The data showed that the number of non-literates declined by 1.99 million between 2001 and 2011. Further, almost 60 per cent of the decline in the number of non-literates in the State was on account of the decline in illiteracy among women.

However, this somewhat rosy picture was marred by the fact that the gap between male and female literacy remained high. While the overall literacy rate in the State was 75.61 per cent, it was 82.84 per cent among males and 68.15 per cent among females.

Again, this average rate masked critical problems in the social infrastructure in the State, especially in the relatively backward areas. This was revealed by the extent of the “gap” between male and female literacy rates in the various districts.

While the overall gap had narrowed from 19.23 percentage points in 2001 to 14.73 percentage points, the gap was more than 19 percentage points in 2011 in Bagalkot, Bijapur, Raichur, Koppal, Yadgir, Gadag and Gulbarga districts. These are contiguous districts in north Karnataka, which are known to be backward. The extent of the gap clearly showed that Karnataka's problem of illiteracy was increasingly a gender issue. In Bijapur, for instance, where male literacy was 77.10, one percentage point above the State average male literacy, the female literacy was 12 percentage points below the State average female literacy rate of 68.13 per cent.

Access to amenities

The detailed tables would follow later, but it was evident that when they come they too would reflect these sharp divisions. Indicators on the access to the daily amenities such as drinking water and latrines, qualitative information on the kind of housing that people enjoy, and of access to services such as mobile telephony and electricity supply can be expected to vary significantly across the State.

For instance, data for Karnataka showed that about one-third of the households in the State live in one-room tenements; nearly 30 per cent more live in two-room tenements. When the disaggregated data become available, they were likely to reveal a significantly higher proportion of households living in one- or two-room tenements in the northern districts of the State. Similarly, while the broad State-level data showed that two-thirds of the households in the State had access to “tap” water, the proportion was likely to significantly lower in these districts.


While overall literacy rate is 75.61 per cent, it is 82.84 p.c. in males and 68.15 p.c. in females

Figures show that Karnataka's problem of illiteracy is increasingly a gender issue

The Hindu (http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-karnataka/article2996642.ece)

Census makes a stinking revelation (http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-karnataka/article2996640.ece)

BAGESHREE S.

The Karnataka government is either in denial mode or underplaying the existence of the inhuman practice of men and women being employed to carry night soil, because the Census data has a different story to tell.

It revealed that 0.1 per cent of all households — which translated to over 13,000 of 1.3 crore households — still had night soil removed by people. In addition, as many as 0.2 per cent (or 26,000) households had ‘night soil removed by animals', which also clearly indicated that it involved human labour.

The national figures on the practice of people carrying night soil was dismal, with 0.3 per cent of households still employing humans to do the task. Jammu and Kashmir (8.9 per cent), Manipur (2 per cent), and Uttar Pradesh (1 per cent) had the worst record on this count.

The figures for Karnataka gained significance in the light of a Public Interest Litigation petition in the High Court, which sought a ban on manual disposal of night soil.

The Savanur incident

The issue of manual scavenging and the plight of those traditionally involved in the work had come into sharp focus in 2010 when members of the Bhangi community at Savanur in Haveri district poured human excreta on themselves in protest against the attempt of the town municipal council to evict them from their homes.

The petitioner in the PIL, senior counsel R.N. Narasimhamurthy, had argued that the practice of workers carrying human excreta was “a national shame” and said that the State had failed to curb the system even after six decades of the country's Independence.

The practice of carrying night soil violates Articles 38, 42 and 46 of the Indian Constitution and is explicitly banned under the Employment of Manual Scavengers and Construction of Dry Latrines (Prohibition) Act, 1993.

High Court orders

In connection with yet another Public Interest Litigation, filed by the People's Union of Civil Liberties on manual scavenging, the High Court had, in January, expressed displeasure over the lack of measures taken to mechanise the entire process of cleaning of sewerage in the State, in spite of orders passed by it earlier.


UNDP award for Udupi district (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/234508/undp-award-udupi-district.html)

Bangalore, Mar 14,2012, DHNS:

Despite its tech capital image, Karnataka lags behind on most fronts

Karnataka may have put itself on the world map for various reasons, but it still has a long way to go in terms of development.

A comparison of the State with the other South Indian states – Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh - based on the house listing and housing census data highlights–2011, shows that Karnataka fares badly.

Kerala outsmarts its neighbours in almost all respects, be it in the provision of electricity, drinking water, toilets, transport and its adaptation to the world of communication.

Karnataka is last among the South Indian states with only 90.6 pc houses having access to electricity. It is still very much dependent on use of kerosene. It tops the South India states in the use of kerosene (8.6 pc).

Kerala is on top with the largest number of households with water closet toilets (66.7 pc), while Karnataka is placed last among the South Indian states (36.9 pc).

Tamil Nadu has the largest number of households with access to tap water (79.8 pc), followed by Andhra with 69.9 pc. In Karnataka 66.1 pc of the houses use tap water.

Kerala is on top when it comes to households with four-wheelers (car, jeep, van). About 10.2 pc of its houses have at least one four-wheeler. Karnataka follows with 6.3 pc of the households with four-wheelers.

Computer/internet

Kerala has the largest number of houses with computer/laptop (15.8 pc). It also beats Karnataka when it comes to the use of internet.

About 6.3 pc of the houses have internet facility. In Karnataka only 12.8 pc of the houses have computer/laptop facility and 4.8 pc of the houses have internet facility. Andhra stands last with just 8.4 pc of houses with computer facility, with 2.6 pc of the houses having internet facility.

In Tamil Nadu, 10.6 pc houses have computer facility, with 4.2 pc of the houses having access to internet.

Phone connection

Kerala tops the South Indian states with the largest number of households with either landline or mobile phone facility (89.7 pc), followed by Tamil Nadu with 74.9 pc.

Kerala also stands on top with 31.3 pc of the houses having both landline and mobile facilities. About 11.6 pc of its households have landline facility.

While Tamil Nadu has the largest percentage of houses with mobile phones (62.1 pc), Karnataka is placed second with 56.5 pc of the houses using mobile phones.

When it comes to use of landline phones, about seven pc of Karnataka’s houses have the facility, while only 5.7 pc of houses in Tamil Nadu have landline connection. In Andhra Pradesh, 54.9 pc of the houses have mobile phones and 63.1 pc houses have either mobile phone or landline facility.

Why Kerala outsmarts other southern states? Prof K S James, Head, Population Research Centre, ISEC, said Kerala, even in the 2001 census, had reported good progress and is maintaining the trend.

“Kerala, which is an almost cent per cent literate state, is not finding it difficult to use technology like computer/internet. Unlike in other states, there is not much urban and rural divide in Kerala with infrastructure facilities available across the state. Even a decade ago, every village was electrified. Population is spread across the state and no village is isolated. All these and more make Kerala stand out. But, we should see the pace of growth when we say a state is progressing.”

TV/radio

The most favourite sop provided by politicians in Tamil Nadu to its voters during elections is television set, thanks to which the state today has the largest TV watching populace. About 87 pc of its households have access to TV, a near 50 pc jump from statistics available in 2001.

In Karnataka only 60 pc houses have television sets – a 23 pc jump from 2001, while 58.8 pc of houses in Andhra Pradesh have access to the gadget.

Kerala has seen a 38 pc jump from 2001, as 76.8 pc of the houses have TV sets today.

Transistors fade

Use of transistors/radio, which was the only major source of entertainment used largely by both rural and urban populace in the country, has dipped dramatically in the last decade.

About 35.1 pc of the country’s populace was hooked to transistors even till 2001. Today, only 19.9 pc use this as an entertainment tool, probably because of the spurt in the use of cellphones which have become a source of communication as well as infotainment.

Kerala still takes a fancy to this old world charm with 29.7 pc of its households using transistors. In 2001, 59.2 pc of its households used this gadget.

In Karnataka, 22.3 pc of the houses depend on transistors, while 22.7 pc of the houses in Tamil Nadu use the gadget. Andhra Pradesh, however, has no liking to the transistor.

Only 9.3 pc of its household use transistors. In 2001, the figure stood at 21.6 pc.

http://www.deccanherald.com/images/editor_images1/2012/03/15/highlights.gif

DHNS (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/234528/state-trails-neighbours-amenities.html)

Key changes in industrial policy to attract companies

Incentives with regard to VAT, stamp duty and registration of land

Karnataka plans to amend its industrial policy to offer extra concessions and incentives to make it attractive for the companies to invest in the State.

The amendments will be made to industrial policy 2009-14 and to industries (facilitation) act, 2002 to offer extra concessions for attracting companies.

Key amendments likely to be introduced are rate of concessions and incentives to be offered ‘over and above' stated in the policy on case-by-case basis for projects over Rs 250 crore investments and a strict deadline for clearing proposals or term it as ‘deemed cleared'.

The commerce and industries department has cleared the both the proposals and has sent it to the finance ministry for its concurrence.

Both the amendments are likely to come up during the State's Budget session, said Mr K Jothiramalingam, principal secretary commerce and industries.

Addressing the CII meet on ‘Karnataka competitiveness – Has time come for an image makeover?', Mr Jothiramalingam said, “In the wake of many State governments offering additional incentives to attract companies, Karnataka felt it should not lag behind.”

“To address the key issue of concessions and incentives, a cabinet sub-committee headed by the chief minister will be headed to determine the quantum of incentives to be offered to the company on case-by-case basis,” he added.

Concessions and incentives are with regard to VAT, stamp duty and registration of lands.

Mr Jothiramalingam quoted the recent example of additional incentives offered to Honda Motors.

Recently Honda Motors was offered additional incentives like treating 40 per cent of value added tax (VAT) payable by the company as interest-free loan for up to 10 years.

The company is expected to start repaying the loan from the 11{+t}{+h} year and the cabinet has also cleared 95 per cent reimbursement of CST for a period of five years. In addition the State government has offered to wave off 100 per cent of land registration cost as well.
Facilitation Act

The State government which is also concerned over the delay in implementing projects cleared during 2010 Global Investors Meet is now planning to tweak the Karnataka Industries (facilitation) Act, 2002 to bring in deadline clause for speedy clearance and implementation.

Mr Jothiramalingam said proposals once cleared by single window at district level committee (deputy commissioner); State level (minister concerned) committee and State high level committee (chief minister) was getting stuck at different departments.

“In order to streamline the clearances at different departments, a strict time-frame or deadline is being set otherwise the proposals will be ‘deemed cleared' and the concerned officer will be held responsible,” he added.

The department is also amending quantum of investment to come up before the district level single window committee to Rs 15 crore (from existing Rs 3 crore), State level committee to Rs 250 crore (between Rs 3 crore to Rs 50 crore) and State high level committee to over Rs 250 crore (Rs 50 crore).http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/article2998979.ece?ref=wl_opinion

Triumph Motors to set up bike assembly plant in Karnataka

UK-based premium bike-maker Triumph Motorcycles has zeroed in on the southern State of Karnataka for its local assembly plant, which may start well within a year. It had previously held talks with States such as Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra for the same.

http://kaw.stb.s-msn.com/i/73/342C4E3891DA3E18B54F981BB573.jpg

Its third such facility globally after the UK and Thailand, the Indian plant will help Triumph price its models more competitively in the world's second-largest two wheeler market. This strategy follows another niche player, Harley-Davidson's, which started similar operations at a facility in Haryana last year.

Triumph signed a memorandum of understanding with the Karnataka Government about a month back, an official close to the development told Business Line. One of the pre-requisites for the location had been proximity to a port for both importing completely knocked-down (CKD) kits and later exporting bikes, if required."About 40 acres of land has been identified by the company at Narasapur (Kolar district) on the Bangalore-Chennai highway. This is about 50 km from Honda's upcoming motorcycle plant," the official said.

The brand, which launched itself in India at the Auto Expo in January, is looking to assemble the Bonneville, Street Triple, Speed Triple and Daytona 675 models locally. Later, it may consider full manufacturing as well."We are gearing up to commence our Indian operations at the earliest. Of the seven motorcycles that will be entering the market, we will be assembling four of our bike models in India. We will be looking at setting up the CKD assembly facility in a propitious location," the company said in a reply to emailed queries.

Starting from July, up to four dealerships will be appointed in 2012, with a target of around 12 outlets within the next three years. Triumph's local headquarters will likely be in Delhi, sources said."While the plant would take around a year to come up, the bike models would be launched earlier to build excitement around the brand. Though initially imported as fully-built units, the pricing will be kept on the lower side keeping in mind the reduced costs after local assembly starts," a source said.

Premium bike-makers present in India include Ducati and BMW Motorrad, apart from high-end models from Suzuki, Yamaha and Honda and Korean player Hyosung. Starting from around Rs 5 lakh and going up to around Rs 45 lakh, most of these models are imported into the country.http://news.in.msn.com/business/article.aspx?cp-documentid=5928419

CEC for ban on mining in Karnataka for 10 years

Committee submits to apex court reclamation and rehabilitation plans

The Supreme Court-appointed Central Empowered Committee (CEC) on Wednesday recommended a 10-year prohibition in mining operations in Bellary, Chitradurga and Tumkur districts, areas under the illegal extraction of natural resources in Karnataka.

In its supplementary report before the apex court, the committee also submitted the reclamation and rehabilitation plans for mining leases in three districts following a “broad consensus” reached between its members, state government, experts from Indian Council for Forestry Research and Education and others.

“The proposed guidelines provide that in the areas found to be under illegal mining (except the areas falling in the sanctioned lease areas of the adjoining lessees), mining operations will be prohibited for next 10 years to ensure that such areas are properly rehabilitated,” the report said.

The committee also submitted that a ceiling of 25 million metric tonnes for total production of iron ore from all the mining leases in Bellary and a ceiling of 5 million metric tonnes for all mining leases in Chitradurga and Tumkur districts may be prescribed.

e-auction

It also suggested that the sale of iron ore should continue through e auction only under the supervision of the monitoring committee, set up by the apex court. The basic objectives of the proposed plan is to carry out time-bound reclamation and rehabilitation of the areas found to be under illegal mining and to ensure scientific and environmentally sustainable extraction, among other things.

The lease-wise reclamation and rehabilitation plans would provide for filling up of the illegal mining pits with the existing over burden waste, soil and conservation measures to stabilize those areas, besides the afforestation drive with indigenous species.

The CEC further proposed that the existing environment clearances, approved mining plans, the consent to operate and other statutory approvals will stand modified to reflect the permissible annual production prescribed in the reclamation and rehabilitation plans for each of the mining leases.

The lease-wise plan would be implemented by the respective lessee at its own cost but if it was found to be unsatisfactory, the plan would be implemented by the state government through its own agency at the cost of the lessee, it said.

The reclamation and rehabilitation plan for about 20 mining leases falling in category A and about 29 mining leases of category B are to be completed in phase one and two respectively within two months.

Recommendations

As far as the mining leases falling in category C are concerned, the CEC recommended that the allotment of those leases could be undertaken only after the reclamation and rehabilitation plans for each lease was prepared and the mining operation was found to be environmentally feasible.http://www.deccanherald.com/content/234556/cec-ban-mining-karnataka-10.html

Urban property ownership records projects gathers steam

After completion of the survey work, Karnataka’s ambitious ‘Urban Property Ownership Records’ (UPOR) project has now advanced to the next stage i.e. the ownership enquiry process, in Mysore.

The government has initiated a project to create property records in urban areas. Under this, ownership property records are created for urban properties following the provisions of the Karnataka Land Revenue Act. The property records will be similar to the property records in the form of RTC created in rural areas in the state. Registration has been made compulsory. Property records created accordingly will be considered ownership records as per Section 133 of the Karnataka Land Revenue Act 1964 and will therefore have a presumptive value.

Mysore is one of the four cities in the state where UPOR was launched as a pilot with private-public participation (PPP). The project to digitize land records with a view to provide authentic property records on the lines of RTC records created in rural areas is the first of its kind in the country. It has now been extended to other urban centres, including Bangalore.

The project, which is expected to reduce disputes over property ownership, has received approval and funding from the 12th Finance Commission. UPORs are also expected to check property tax evasion. For instance, present records show around 200,000 properties in Mysore city. But now, after the UPOR survey, it has been found to be higher by 75,000, putting the figure at 275,000, revealing that these property owners are not paying tax.

After its launch in Mysore, field survey of the properties has been completed now. Ownership enquiry process has also been completed in respect of some properties and is in progress for the rest.

Draft UPOR records are ready now for 150 properties in ward No. 12 of J P Nagar in respect of which objections have been invited from their owners. Owners as well as others can raise objections if any within 30 days of the receipt of the draft UPOR record at the UPOR office in Nazarbad, the UPOR Project Officer has said. After resolving the objections, final UPOR records will be ready after 30 days. Respective property owners can collect the records from the UPOR office after paying a fee and identity and address proof like voters; ID, driving licence, ration card, passport, pan card or UID, he said.

The Revenue Department has created a website, www.upor.karnataka.gov.in which will be updated time to time. Draft PR cards generated will be available for viewing in the website. Property holders can search the draft PR card either by giving khatha number, house number or address of the property.

Photographs of the property are also attached to the each property. Owners can confirm its correctness, the officer said.http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/urban-property-ownership-records-projects-gathers-steam/467737/

High Court orders status quo on Old Port stage III extension
(http://www.deccanherald.com/content/235018/high-court-orders-status-quo.html)
Mangalore, Mar 16,2012, DHNS:
The High Court on Thursday ordered the Union and State governments to maintain status quo over projects worth Rs 60 crore related to the proposed third stage extension of the Old Mangalore Port at Hoige Baazar in Bolar.

The division bench comprising Justice K Sreedhar Rao and Suri Appa Rao ordered this status quo following a PIL by Octavia Albuquerque, and several other residents of Hoige Bazaar questioning the extension mainly on the ground that it violates their very ‘right to life’ guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution.

The petitioners contend that the proposed action is against an amendment to the Karnataka Ports Act adding that port land at Hoige Bazaar was an ecologically sensitive wet land within the coastal regulation zone, 2011.

Stating that the extension would result in all kinds of pollution and argue that it should be extended to Bengre as it is located right opposite to old port at Bunder instead to port land in Hoige Baazar in Bolar. Counsels for the petitioners B M Arun and Andy Lobo in their submissions stated that the port extension is affecting the natural creek and there is either no proper permission obtained for the extension work or there has been no permission granted.
“The project as per the old plan should have been conceived on the opposite side at Bengre sand pits, but this is happening at the confluence of Nethravathi and Gurupur rivers,” they submitted.

They further contended that the Hoige Bazar being mainly a residential area, the construction debris which is being dumped is causing severe pollution, whereas Bunder is mostly used by fishermen. “The decision to extend the port near residential areas would lead to health hazards,” the counsels submitted.

Earlier, the court had issued notices to the central and state governments, department of animal husbandry and fisheries, Central Institute of Coastal Engineering for Fishery, ministry of environment and forests and department of forests, environment and ecology. They contended that the proposal would violate the local residents, they said.

When the government counsel said that there will be no closure of the creek as claimed by the petitioners and contended that the extension programme is aimed at just desilting the existing port so that it can house small boats and help the fishing community, the petitioners said that the creek has already been closed. The division bench ordered status quo.

P M Raghunandan, Bangalore, Mar 16,2012, DHNS:

With the crisis in global economy overturning the Centre’s growth target, Karnataka’s economy is most likely to again slip into the slow growth path in the forthcoming fiscal.

According to the economic survey report for 2011-12 fiscal, which is yet to be released by the State government, the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) growth in the current fiscal is pegged at around 6.4 per cent against the estimated 8.5 per cent.

A combination of factors like sluggishness in the IT sector, severe drought in 122 taluks and ban on iron ore mining and exports have hindered the State from achieving the target of 8.5 per cent growth. The State’s economy had clocked 8.2 per cent growth in 2010-11 fiscal, which was seen as a turnaround year after two successive years of global recession.

Sources said the global crisis affects the State economy more severely than the national economy. For, the State’s economy is closely linked to the global economy through Information Technology (IT) and mineral exports.

Trends in annual growth rates of India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and Karnataka GSDP reflect that Karnataka is more vulnerable. Karnataka’s GSDP grew at a rate higher than the national GDP in the pre-economic slowdown period (between 2008-09 and 2010-11): while the State’s GSDP grew at 10.1 per cent and 12.9 per cent in 2006-07 and 2007-08 fiscal, respectively.

The national GDP recorded the growth of 9.7 per cent and 9.2 per cent during the same period.

At the same time, the State’s GDSP had touched a low of 3.7 per cent and 5.2 per cent during the slowdown periods of 2008-09 and 2009-10, respectively, while the national GDP growth was 6.7 per cent and 8 per cent, respectively, during the same period.

In 2010-11, when the State’s economy bounced back to the high growth path, the GSDP grew at 8.2 per cent, with 55 per cent, 28 per cent and 17 per cent contribution by service sector (IT and ITES), industry sector and primary sector (agriculture), respectively. Primary sector had performed well with 5.9 per cent growth rate.

The worst affected is said to be the primary sector in the next fiscal. Drought has wreaked havoc in the agriculture sector, the growth of which is expected to be around 4.5 per cent.

The total food grain production is likely to be 105 lakh tonnes, which is about 20 lakh tonnes less compared to the last year’s. In 2010-11, the primary sector had registered the growth rate of 5.9 per cent.

Sources said the service sector (IT and ITES), which is the biggest contributor to the GSDP, has not posted a very impressive growth and it is said to be in the region of 9 per cent. Last year, the sector had registered a growth rate of 9.7 per cent. Growth in the industrial sector is said to be by and large the same as the last year.

Highlights
* State’s GSDP likely to register a growth of 6.4 pc in 2011-12 fiscal
* Primary sector likely to be worst affected due to severe drought
* Industry and service sector to register sluggish growth

DHNS (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/235059/wests-slowdown-may-weigh-down.html)

Bangalore, Mar 14,2012, DHNS:

The Karnataka State Pollution Control Board has decided to revise categorisation of industries considering the Karnataka Industrial Policy 2009-14 and provisions of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Act, 2006.

As per the revision, large scale industries are those with more than Rs 10 crore investment, medium scale industries with Rs 5 to 10 crore, small scale industries with Rs 25 lakh to Rs 5 crore and micro industries with less than Rs 25 lakh investment.

At a meeting on Wednesday, it also decided to grant consent for operation from one to 10 years duration depending on the category.

DHNS (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/234507/industries-categorisation-revised.html)

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Karnataka Bankrecords growth of Rs 3k cr (http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-03-16/hubli/31200678_1_rs-3k-cr-branches-mobile-banking-facility)


HUBLI: The Karnataka Bank division here has registered a transaction growth of Rs 3,000 crores from Rs 1,800 crores in last two year. The overall transaction in the 2011-12 financial year has crossed Rs 50,000 crores, said P Jayarama Bhat, managing director of Karnataka Bank.

Speaking to mediapersons here on Wednesday, Bhat said that with the existing 494 branches across the country, the bank has plans to start another nine branches.

In the coming financial year, the number of branches is expected to cross 550, he added. In an attempt to keep up with the times, Karnataka Bank will start mobile banking facility within three months. Satellite branches and ultra branches of the bank will also begin soon.

Bangalore, March 15:

Karnataka should focus beyond Bangalore and develop more tier-II and -III cities, a CII report on the State's competitiveness has said.

The report prepared by Athena Informatics India on behalf of CII further said, “Outside Bangalore, telecom connectivity, infrastructure and education development index is very poor.

The State's industrial policies and promises are good but are very poor on implementation front.”
Doing business

Karnataka ranks second after Gujarat in FDI from 2008-11. While this marks good progress, other economic indicators fail to keep pace with the investment flow.

This inconsistency stems from uneven distribution of investment in the state. FDI is mostly concentrated in Bangalore-Mysore corridor.

However, Bangalore accounts for only 15 per cent of the State's population. Clearly the benefits of industrialisation are not percolating to the other regions of the State.
Infrastructure

The road length in Karnataka has grown at a modest rate during 2003-08, second only to Andhra Pradesh and well above the national average of 4.06 per cent.

The State does not per form well as a) surfaced road ratio is wide and b) the break up of urban and rural road density lie at two extremes.

Andhra Pradesh (109 approvals, 76 notified and 35 operational) leads in the number of operational SEZs and in value of investment proposals, while Karnataka (61 approvals, 38 notified and 20 operational) is third on both counts.
Railways

Although Gujarat and Karnataka are comparable in terms of area, Gujarat has longer railway network and better rail density at 27.18 km (Karnataka has 15.68 km) per 100 sq km.

Quality of railway network in Karnataka is low as well, recording the lowest electrification ratio among the five States.
Airport

While Karnataka fares well on passenger traffic, cargo throughput at airports is not sufficient for an economy highly integrated with the global economy and is reflective of the dominance of IT products and services.
Ports

Considering the relatively shorter coastline, Karnataka has been quite efficient in developing the number of ports (one major and 10 minor port).

In 2010-11 about 91 per cent of cargo was handled by the new Mangalore port, owing to a fall of 63.8 per cent in cargo handled at minor ports.
Power

Despite the enormous generation potential, Karnataka has remained an energy-deficit State over the last decade.

Deficit increased from a negligible 0.7 per cent in 2005-06 to 7.6 per cent in 2010-11.

While the energy deficit is more sever in Tamil Nadu at 18.4 per cent, Karnataka's current level of deficit compares unfavourably with other States such as Andhra Pradesh that has 3.6 per cent.
Telecom/broadband

While wide urban-rural disparities exist in telecom connectivity across all the States, it is more pronounced in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.

While overall broadband density is the highest in Karnataka, rural coverage can be described a pitfall at best at 42,004 connections in January 2011 as against Andhra Pradesh's tally of 89,250 connections.

anil.u@thehindu.co.in

Business Line (http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/economy/article2999410.ece)

Karnataka manages expenditure well

Karnataka has managed its expenditure well, while enhancing its revenues collections.

According to the Economic Survey, the State's fiscal deficit has declined to 2.87 per cent of Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) in 2011-12 (BE) while the capital outlay has grown to 121 per cent of gross fiscal deficit. Last fiscal, the deficit was 3.07 per cent.

The buoyant tax revenues, owing to the tax reforms and toning up of tax administration largely aided the State's fiscal consolidation efforts since the enactment of the fiscal responsibility act (FRA).

RECEIPTS

The State's revenue receipts have increased to 15.27 per cent GSDP.

Revenue receipts have grown primarily due to growth of tax revenue with the State having an overall revenue surplus.

Total receipts are likely to increase by about Rs 1,1461.95 crore (BE) that is by 16.03 per cent in 2011-12.

Revenue receipts are expected to increase by Rs 8,528.69 crore and capital receipts are expected to increase by Rs 2,933.26 crore.

Revenue receipts account for 79.93 per cent of total receipts.

EXPENDITURE

The State's total expenditure under consolidated fund as a proportion of the GSDP has increased from 18.58 per cent in 2005-06 to 19.65 in 2011-12.

The State's effort to enhance the social and economic infrastructure has shown positive gains.

The social services and capital expenditure have also yielded positive results during the post FRA period.

The share of social services has increased from 4.73 per cent of GSDP in 2005-06 to 5.73 per cent in 2011-12 while share of capital expenditure increased from 3.09 per cent of GSDP to 3.17 per cent of GSDP during the same period.

The share of development expenditure has significantly increased from 8.95 to 13.23 per cent while share of interest payments has declined from 2 per cent to 1.6 per cent.

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/economy/article3017087.ece?homepage=true&ref=wl_home

Navy planning new air base in KarnatakaNew Delhi: Strengthening its capabilities along the western seaboard, the Indian Navy is planning to establish a new naval air base in Karwar in Karnataka for operating both fighter and surveillance aircraft."We have plans of establishing a Naval Air Station at Karwar for basing and operation of fixed and rotary-wing military aircraft," Navy officials said on Tuesday.The naval air base is part of the Navy's Rs 10,000 crore plans under the phase II of the Project Sea Bird.Aircraft carrier 'Admiral Gorshkov', which India is getting from Russia, six Scorpene submarines and several other warships will be based there in the future.The Navy already has an air base in Goa and has deployed its MiG 29K and Sea Harrier fighter aircraft there.It has also placed orders for 29 more MiG 29K carrier- borne fighter planes from Russia along with the indigenous versions of the naval variant of the Light Combat Aircraft 'Tejas'.Under the Phase-II of the Project, Karwar will get an armament depot, dockyard complex and missile silos, apart from additional jetties, berthing and anchorage facilities.It is planning to expand the base to the extent where it can provide requisite berthing and operational fleet base facilities for the operation, administration and command and control of over 30 warships and submarines.The Karwar base would be the third such major base of the Indian Navy and is being strengthened at a time when Pakistan is developing ports with the help of the Chinese and would also providing strategic depth to its maritime force.It would also help the Navy in decongesting its base in Mumbai which has seen a significant increase in merchant shipping.

Coastal districts to get veterinary, hotel management colleges (http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/economy/article3025278.ece?homepage=true&ref=wl_home)

‘Request will be made to the Union Government to approve and part finance multi-skill development centres at Mangalore and Belgaum.'

MANGALORE, MARCH 21:
The coastal districts got a veterinary college, a hotel management institute, and a district cooperative bank in the State Budget .

Presenting the Budget on Wednesday, Mr D.V. Sadananda Gowda, Chief Minister, announced a new veterinary college for Dakshina Kannada district in Puttur taluk.

Other new veterinary colleges are planned in Athani and Gadag in Karnataka.

To bridge the gap in demand and supply of skilled manpower in hospitality sector, two institutes of hotel management would be setup at Bellary and Mangalore, he said.

The Budget also announced the intention to start a district central cooperative bank for Udupi district during 2012-13.

He said that request will be made to the Union Government and GIZ-IS (a German Government agency) to approve and part finance high-tech multi-skill development centres at Mangalore and Belgaum.

Mr Gowda said that Rs 50 crore will be provided in coastal districts during the year to construct vented dams across rivers and streams wherever necessary.

The Budget also made a proposal to take up ‘Soubhagya Sanjeevini' scheme to link west-flowing rivers in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts. The Budget also said that the current intermittent water supply system in Mangalore will be converted into 24X7 supply system, through PPP mode, at a cost of Rs 146 crore.

Rs 5,500 cr earmarked for Bangalore development
(http://www.deccanherald.com/content/236246/rs-5500-cr-earmarked-bangalore.html)
Bangalore, Mar 21, 2012, (PTI) :
Karnataka budget for 2012-13 has a slew of initiatives, including expansion of terminal I of city airport and Metro Rail, for the development of country's IT hub.

The budget presented by state Chief Ministerster D V Sadananada Gowda has increased the outlay for the city to Rs 5,500 crore from Rs 4,770 crore in last year's budget.

Expansion of Terminal I of Bangalore International Airport (BIA), developed on PPP model and undertaken at a cost of Rs 1,479 crore, will be completed by December 2012, Gowda said in the assembly.

"It will handle 17.5 million passengers per annum as compared to existing capacity of 11 million."
Work on Phase-2 of Metro Rail is planned to commence during 2012-13 and would be completed by by 2017-18, he said.

The entire Phase 1 of Metro Rail is expected to be completed by December 2013, Gowda said, adding, "an outlay of Rs 500 crore has been made for the metro project."

Within the next 9 months opening of another 10.4 km is planned, Gowda said.

The State Government has approved the Phase-2 consisting of 4 extension lines and 2 new lines with a total length of 72 km at a total cost of Rs 26,405 crore.

The extension lines will give the much-needed last mile connectivity to the commuters.

The two new lines traversing through some of the densest and traffic congested areas of Bangalore are expected to provide connectivity to the Information Technology industry, he said.

Work of laying natural gas pipeline from Dabhol to Bangalore by Gas Authority of India Limited is expected to be completed this fiscal, Gowda said.

Gowda said GAIL and Karnataka State Industrial Infrastructure and Development Corporation have formed a joint venture company to provide clean fuel for power plants, transport vehicles, industries and households in and around Bangalore. (MORE) PTI BDN MSR BN KSR 03211946

The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagar Palike (BBMP-city corporation) would take up five important signal-free corridor projects with a total length of 51.5 km during 2012-13 at an estimated cost of Rs 426 crore to ease traffic congestion, Gowda said.

Sixteen methane generation projects by using wet solid waste would also be taken up through PPP model in Bangalore.

Gowda said total financial support of Rs 1,000 crore will be provided to BBMP for financing major selected projects including road, parking and solid waste management infrastructure during 2012-13.

The Cauvery Water Supply Scheme - Stage IV - Phase II is likely to be completed by September 2012, which would bring additional 500 MLD water to Bangalore and give much needed relief to outer areas, he said.

Ten new police stations, including three traffic police stations in Bangalore, would be started and Rs 20 crore is being provided for traffic police, Gowda said.

A total outlay of Rs 126 crore has been provided for promotion of Information Technology, Bio-Technology and Science and Technology activities.

Meanwhile, an infrastructure bill to facilitate more projects on public-private-partnership basis through transparent and accountable procedures having statutory backing would be brought before the Legislature, Gowda said today.

He said a comprehensive Karnataka Strategic Infrastructure Investment Plan with a large bouquet of investment-ready infrastructure projects in 12 sectors is being prepared with assistance of competent consultants and transaction advisors.

To give a major push to the industrial growth, Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board would develop a land bank across the state with an investment of Rs 2,000 crore.

Gowda said 11 sector-specific parks in various regions focused on food, gems and jewellery, auto ancillary, machine tool and pharmaceutical would be set up by KIADB with a total outlay of Rs 70 crore.

JK TYRES, RANGA RAO & SONS, BILIGIRI GRANITES WIN STATE EXPORT AWARDS


Mysore, Mar. 21- The State Export Awards have been bagged by city-based JK Tyres, N. Ranga Rao & Sons and Biligiri Granites of Chamarajanagar for having exported the maximum quantity of products in the State.

The awards will be given away by Chief Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda and Industries Minister Murugesh Nirani today at a programme to be held at Capitol Hotel in Bangalore at 5.30 pm.

During 2009-10 and 2010-11, the awards were bagged by J.K. Tyres and Ranga Rao & sons. They have bagged the awards for the third time in a row.

Karnataka to set up green energy fund

Press Trust of India, Updated: March 21, 2012 18:46 IST


Bangalore: A green energy fund to encourage rooftop grid connected solar projects would be set up in Karnataka by levying a surcharge of five paise per unit on industrial and commercial consumers, Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda said today.

"The surcharge will be complemented by support of Rs 25 crore from the State Budget during 2012-13", he said in the 2012-13 budget presented in the Legislative Assembly. "The resources available in the Fund will be utilised to encourage rooftop grid connected solar projects".

Good progress has been achieved in promoting renewable energy with addition of 441 MW in 2011-12 itself, he added.

Total outlay of Rs 10,289 crore for the energy sector during 2012-13 is envisaged in the Budget.

In spite of the state's best efforts in establishing new generation capacity, the major constraints faced by the government are in getting the required coal linkages and environmental clearances for its plants from the Centre.

"The matter has been taken up time and again with the Central government but nothing much has been received except advice and wait", the Chief Minister said.

Infrastructure projects in Bangalore get a boost

BANGALORE, MARCH 21:
The Government of Karnataka will provide an overall outlay of Rs 6,895 crore to fund various infrastructure projects in Bangalore taken up by various agencies.

The Chief Minister, Mr D.V. Sadananda Gowda, said while presenting the Budget for 2012-13 that the BBMP will get a support of Rs 1,000 crore financing major projects, including road, parking and solid waste management infrastructure during 2012-13.

“BBMP will take up five important signal-free corridor projects with a total length of 51.5 km during the year at an estimated cost of Rs 426 crore to ease traffic congestion. In addition, important roads will be taken up on at a total outlay of Rs 200 crore,” he said. With parking being one of the biggest problems a commuter faces, the Government has also announced that eight parking complexes will be constructed at a cost of Rs 200 crore.

The Metro Rail project will also receive Rs 500 crore funding. “Within the next nine months, opening of another 10.4 km is planned,” he said.

The State Government has approved the Phase- 2, consisting of four extension lines and two new lines with a total length of 72 km, at a total cost of Rs 26,405 crore, the Minister said. “The extension lines will give the much-needed last mile connectivity to the commuters. The two new lines traversing through some of the densest and traffic congested areas of Bangalore are expected to provide connectivity to the IT industry,” he added.

“The Government of India has been requested to participate and part-finance the Phase-2 as has been done for Phase-1,” the Minister said. The work on Phase-2 is planned to commence during 2012-13, and is expected to be completed by 2017-18.

The Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) has also planned to commence development of Kempegowda Layout, improvement of outer ring road for seamless connectivity and construction of elevated roads. Project preparation and land acquisition for Peripheral Ring Road are also planned to be taken up during 2012-13.

WATER BODIES

Infrastructure apart, the Government has also announced funding to preserve lakes and water bodies. A budget allocation of Rs 50 crore to be complemented by an equal amount by BDA and BBMP will be provided during 2012-13 to protect, restore and rejuvenate lakes in Bangalore, the Minister said. Implementation of projects for reducing unaccounted water, UGD systems, and treatment plants is planned to be stepped up. Allocation of Rs 1,000 crore for BWSSB has been made.

“Cauvery Water Supply Scheme - Stage IV – Phase II is likely to be completed by September 2012 bringing additional 500 MLD water to the city,” he said.

The Chief Minister also said that solid waste management infrastructure projects at a cost of Rs 200 crore are to be started during 2012-13. “Sixteen methane generation projects by using wet solid waste will be taken up through PPP mode,” he said.

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‘Taxes on goods without hurting industries'

BANGALORE, MARCH 21:
Chambers of commerce in Karnataka have welcomed the Budget which has increased the rates of taxes on few goods without hurting the industries.

The Budget has placed priority to infrastructure development within the State. And by not increasing tax burden on common man and taxed only luxury is laudable. Tax concessions to develop low alcohol content wine is indeed most welcome. Grape demand, prices and cultivation will be encouraged.

“CII is glad that based on its recommendations the State Government has addressed few infrastructure projects in the Budget,” said Mr L Krishnan, Chairman, CII Karnataka.

Bangalore Chamber of Industry and Commerce (BCIC) termed the Budget as a ‘growth-oriented Budget which will provide the requisite impetus for overall economic growth and development of the State.'

Dr Vinod Nowal, President, BCIC, said: “Substantial increase in the State taxes without increasing the rates of taxes is indeed a very welcome measure. It appears that the Chief Minister has relied more on the growth of trade and industry for the enhanced tax collections. This necessarily means that the industry needs to grow by 9 per cent to achieve the estimated growth projections.”

BCIC has welcomed the following measures: Introduction of infrastructure Bill to facilitate more projects on PPP basis, however its efficacy and modalities are still unclear. The enactment of Karnataka Tourism Trade Act to ensure standardisation of Tourism sector. The establishment of Fiscal Policy Institute is commendable.

Mr P.V. Srinivasan, Chairman, State Taxes Expert Committee, BCIC, observed: “The reduction in the rate of taxes on jewellery, raw cotton, and certain other classes of goods would help in arresting the flight of trade to other States.”

Kassia President, Mr Prakash N. Raikar, said: “Amidst the foggy environment emerges a Budget which is disappointing for the MSE sector. We had made a number of suggestions on liberalising licensing policies including trade license by local bodies, procurement policies, fixation of property taxes, infrastructure improvement in industrial estate, reduction of VAT to 2 per cent on the supplies made to state and central public undertakings, railways etc, relating to MSE sector. It was not addressed.”

Belgaum Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) has said the Budget which is directed basically to strengthen the irrigation net work, agriculture and allied sectors productivity, the rail and road net work particularly rural areas, initiative for developing Tadri Port, urban housing, power sector and other growth related economic sectors.

Mr J.R. Bangera, President FKCCI, said: “Establishment of an industrial area in Chikabalapur in memory of its FKCCI Founder Sir M Visvesvaraya and 11 sectors specific parks in various regions of the State will improve growth.”

“FKCCI welcomes establishment of high-tech multi skill development centres at Mangalore and Belgaum in addition to the existing two, which incidentally is one of our demands. We are happy to note that special focus for providing skill training to 4.5 lakhs unemployed youth, which would help the industry and tourism sector to overcome its skilled work force, was mentioned in this Budget,” he added.

Karnataka to host third big naval air base

In a bid to strengthen its capability along the western sector, the Indian Navy is to set up its naval air base in Karwar in Karnataka, where Russian- built aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov would be stationed. According to navy officials, Karwar naval air base is part of phase II of the Rs10,000 crore Project Seabird and this air base will be used to operate surveillance and fighter aircraft. The base will provide operations for fixed and rotary wing military aircraft.

Navy officials told DNA that besides Admiral Gorshkov (to be named INS Vikramaditya), six Scorpene submarines and other warships will also be stationed in the naval base in the future. The Indian Navyexpects the delivery of INS Vikramaditya in early 2013.

“With the approval of ministry of defence, Karwar naval air base will be operationalised soon,” a senior navy official told DNA.

According to navy officials, the Karwar base would be the third such major base of the Indian Navy and is being strengthened at a time when Pakistan is developing ports with the help of the Chinese. It will also provide strategic depth to its maritime force bedsides decongesting its base in Mumbai, which has seen a significant increase in merchant shipping.

The Navy’s air base is in Goa where the MiG 29K and Sea Harrier fighter aircrafts are stationed.

Karnataka government talks to HPCL and GAIL to supply gas

The Karnataka government is in talks with Indian and international energy companies to arrange gas for three power plants for which it is planning to seek bids. Currently, it is in talks with GAIL India and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd to procure about 26 mmscmd for a total gas capacity of 2,100 MW.

According to a person close to the development, after the government ties up the gas, it would approach private power producers to bid for these three power plants.

The state government made failed attempts to seek bids for three power plants at Davangere, Gadag and Belgaum in 2010,. Each of these power plants have a capacity of 700 MW each, and entail a project cost of INR 3,500 crore. However, private power producers had expressed concerns on their ability to procure gas by themselves.

When these projects were initially planned, they expected at least some of the gas required to run these projects would come from domestic sources. However, it shifted to complete imported gas or liquefied natural gas after the domestic gas situation in the country became lean as RIL's D6 block's production, in Krishna Godavari district dropped.

The expression of interest was called for these projects and Request for Qualifications were issued, but players asked the state government to get a fuel linkage in place. After the gas linkage is secured, the power producers will bid only on the tariff.

A state government official under the condition of anonymity said that “If we tie-up gas for these projects, then there would be more interested parties.” The state government, which is going on an global investor meet in June, is also planning to engage in talks with United Arab Emirates based gas suppliers for these projects as well.

The official further said that “We will have clarity on the actual bidding date of these power projects after June.” After the contracts for the supply of liquefied natural gas are finalised, the state government will also work on setting up an LNG terminal at Tadadi port in North Karnataka. This is however still in the planning stage. Tadadi port itself is in the bidding stage and involves a project cost of INR 3,800 crore.

Reviving these three power projects is a part of the state government's plan to infuse private capital into infrastructure development in the state.

The Infrastructure Development Department has planned to seek private participation for 207 projects, involving a total investment of around two lakh crores.

Biogen Extracts looking for global orders for contract manufacture of fine chemicals, APIs

Thursday, March 22, 2012, 08:00 Hrs [IST]
Biogen Extracts, a GMP certified fine chemicals company is now gearing up to tap the global contract manufacturing orders for its newly commissioned facility EU-GMP compliant plant. The facility which is set up at the Dobbespet Industrial Area on a Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board allotted land is in the process of being visited by customers from EU.

The company specializes in the process, development and manufacture of active pharmaceutical ingredients, nutraceuticals, natural extracts, enzymes and specialty polymers. It is currently the largest manufacturer of Ritodrine Hydrochloride and is one of the three vendors in the world for Hemocoagulase enzyme. In 2010, the company invested Rs.12 crore to set up its facility at Dobbespet Industrial Area, in the outskirts of Bengaluru.

Armed with certifications like the EDMF in CTD format filed in several European countries and the Certificate Of Pharmaceutical Product (COPP) for Ritrodine Hydrochloride, the company has a global presence. While the domestic market has created ample scope for growth, Biogen has been also exporting to 18 countries covering US, West Asia, South East Asia, South Africa, West Africa, North Africa for pharma.

“Our quality policy based on GMP guidelines and other regulations ensure that manufacture of APIs meet the requirements of safety, identity, potency, purity and stability. We have the expertise to provide drug master files for glucosamine salts and methyl sulphonyl methane, Saif M Mehkri, director, marketing, Bio-gen Extracts told Pharmabiz in an interaction.

The high quality standards and delivery timelines are the key parameters to grab orders from EU. These countries are now much-dependent on outsourcing APIs and enzymes from India, he added.

Going by the demand for nutraceutical supplements, Biogen’s capability extends to supply the range including citrus bioflavonoid and chondroitin sulphase sodium. There is also a considerable impetus from the functional foods space and the company also sees considerable traction in the dietary supplements space which is being driven by preventive and wellness awareness among the population, stated Mehkri.

There has been extensive demand for our soy isoflavones for which we are the largest supplier in addition to the natural beta-carotene oil, Lycopene and Lutein in oil, powder, beadlet form. Besides the company has growing interest for phyto steroids and DHA (marine and algal). “For all these we have the technical dossiers to support the required documentations,” he said.

Now it is now working to step up its presence in the nutraceutical space with its range of products. Currently the company has a strong presence in carotene. There is a huge demand for these from the food industry because it is looking to fortify the range of products.

Bangalore, Mar 20, 2012, DHNS:
Food output down by 15 lakh tonne

The economy of Karnataka, which has experienced political turmoil over the last three years, grew at 6.4 per cent over the year ending March 31, lower than that of the country’s growth rate of 6.9 per cent.

The growth rate projections, contained in the Economic Survey of Karnataka 2011-12 released on Tuesday, are advance estimates, and may change significantly when the final figures are released two years later.

The Survey says that due to global economic slowdown and wide-spread drought, agriculture and industry sectors in the State took a severe beating. Agriculture is expected to register an alarmingly negative growth of 2.9 per cent, compared with last year’s growth of 5.9 per cent. Foodgrain production is expected to be 124 lakh tonnes – a staggering 15 lakh tonnes less compared with the 2010-11 output. The growth of industry is expected to virtually halve - from 6.9 in the last fiscal - to 3.6 per cent.

The Survey was circulated among the members of the legislature and the media.

The ruling party in the State appears to be blissfully oblivious of the omens, with its members engaged in a fratricidal battle for power. A large number of ruling party ministers and MLAs loyal to former chief minister B S Yeddyurappa kept away from the budget session of the State Legislature that commenced on Tuesday.

When Deccan Herald asked Rural Development minister Jagadish Shettar to comment, the senior BJP figure from north Karnataka appeared to be complacent.

“The economic situation at the national level is also grim. Compared with the Centre, Karnataka has done well.”

Deputy Chairman of State Planning Board Ramachandra Gowda refused to comment. “I do not want to comment on any developments. I have become aloof now. Though I am the Deputy Chairman of Planning Board, nothing comes to me,” he said.

Manufacturing and construction industries were the worst sufferers in the industry sector in Karnataka during the year ending March 31.

“The decline (in industry sector) can be largely attributed to the State’s economy being more open to external trade as compared to the national economy,” the Economic Survey of Karnataka 2011-12 released on Tuesday states.

The key driver for the growth in the current fiscal is service sector (IT and ITES), the growth of which has jumped from 9.1 per cent in 2010-11 to 10.6 in 2011-12.

The Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) has increased to Rs 2.97 lakh crore from Rs 2.79 crore of the last year (at 2004-05 constant prices).

As far as the sectoral contribution to the GSDP, the primary sector’s share is expected to be 15.9 per cent, industry sector 27.7 per cent and 56.3 per cent share of service sector.

The economy appears to be again coming under the shadow of economic slowdown, after bouncing back to high growth trajectory in 2010-11 by clocking an impressive 8.2 per cent growth after being hit by two successive years of global economic slowdown.

All three **sectors of the economy had performed well.

Despite the slow down, the State’s finances were steady, with an estimated 15.16 per cent increase in the State’s own tax revenues.

This is largely due to improved tax to GSDP ratio, which is expected to be 10.1 per cent in the current year from 9.11 per cent of the last year.

The biggest worry to the government, however, is the declining non-tax revenue.

The survey, which has been released at the end of 11th Five Year Plan, has however noted that Karnataka has performed well in agriculture sector during the 11th Plan period and achieved an overall average growth rate of 5.7 per cent, against the Planning Commission’s target of 5.4 per cent.

The average growth rate of agriculture at the all-India level is 3.3 per cent.

Stunted growth

* Growth rate slumps to 6.4 pc from 8.2 pc last year.
* Economic slowdown and drought take their toll on agriculture & industry sectors.
* Agri sector worst hit with -2.9 pc growth compared to last year’s 5.9 pc.
* Foodgrains production to nosedive to 124.21 lakh tonnes from 139.86 lakh tonnes last year.
* Industry sector to grow by 3.6 pc against 6.9 pc in 2011.

BSY relents

The crisis in the BJP over the leadership issue eased on Tuesday with former chief minister B S Yeddyurappa relenting and deciding to attend the Budget session of legislature along with his supporters on Wednesday.

DHNS (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/236147/states-economy-heads-downwards.html)

Bangalore, Mar 20, 2012, DHNS :

Survey says the poor formed 18.5 pc of the population in 2009-10
Poverty in the State continues to be highest among the southern states.

As per the Economic Survey report released by the Department of Planning, Programme Monitoring and Statistics on Tuesday, poverty is still a major cause for concern for Karnataka.

As in 2009-10, Karnataka has 10.87 million (1.087 crore) poor people (18.5 pc). Andhra Pradesh has recorded 9.3 pc poor, Kerala 8.1 pc and Tamil Nadu 12.9 pc.

However, the poverty ratio has come down from 25 pc in 2004-05 to 18.52 pc in 2009-10. Incidence of poverty based on Planning Commission’s poverty line shows poverty ratio of 15.82 pc (5.7 million - 57 lakh) poor in rural areas, 23.54 pc (5.09 million- 50.9 lakh) in urban areas and 18.52 pc (10.87 million - 1.087 crore) poor in the State as a whole in 2009-10.

Karnataka had aimed at reducing poverty ratio to 12.4 pc in the 11th plan period from 24.9 pc in 2004-05. Though it hasn’t achieved this target, there has been an overall poverty reduction of about 6.5 pc.

2009 floods

The 2009 flash floods had impacted inland northern region (Belgaum, Bagalkot, Bijapur, Gulbarga, Bidar, Raichur, Koppal, Gadag, Dharwad, Haveri, Bellary, Chitradurga and Davangere) of the State, making it stand out in the regional profiles of deprivation levels of living and inequality.

In 2009-10, the headcount rate of poverty in this region was 26.31 pc, higher than the State’s percentage (15.82). While coastal and ghats registered 1.41 pc poverty, inland eastern recorded 4.56 pc and inland southern region 4.94 pc poor.

The department of planning has opined that proper implementation of different schemes, promotion of livelihood, modernising agriculture, setting up rural industries and upgrading skills should be considered, if the State wants to sustain the progress in reduction of poverty.

Malnutrition

The planning department has expressed concern over malnutrition among children in the State. In 2007-08, the nutrition pattern showed about 47 pc of children were ‘normal’, 53 pc ‘moderately malnourished’ and 0.3 pc ‘severely malnourished’. However, in December 2011, the percentage of ‘severely malnourished’ children stood at 1.75 pc.

“Malnutrition is again an area of concern, which is intended to be tackled through introducing the proposed village child development centres and better implementation of ICDS,” it states in the report.

Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) provides supplementary nutrition, immunisation, health check-up, nutrition for children and mothers. During 2011-12, an expenditure of Rs 45,272 lakh (452.72 crore) has benefited 46.7 lakh people.

DHNS (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/236066/poverty-highest-ktaka-among-southern.html)

Can somebody come up with a figure how much the union government spends per person in each of the southern states including on railways.

Slightly older news.

Ashwini YS, Bangalore, MAr 20, 2012, DHNS :

Target group will be from socially and economically backward sections
The much-touted Yuva Budget or Youth Budget, said to be the highlight of the State Budget 2012-13, will not only focus on doling out services to young men and women, but will also aim at equipping them to be a productive workforce.

Sources indicated that a significant portion of the proposals will, however, comprise measures to be taken by the government for the youth who form 36.4 per cent of the State’s population.

Though the Union government recognises people in the 15-35 age bracket as youth, the State government programmes are likely to target youngsters aged between 15 years and 25 years.

It is to be seen whether the announcements to be made for the youth will be presented as a separate document like the agriculture budget document last year.

The Department of Youth Services and the State Knowledge Commission have together drawn up proposals focusing mainly on creating employment for youngsters, training them in life skills, improving their communication skills, creating leaders and promoting their talents.

Youths’ opinion sought

To put the proposals together, the department had published an advertisement in newspapers seeking responses from the youth about their expectations.

Sources said most of the 1,500 responses received so far had highlighted the fact that the mainstream education was not fully equipping youngsters to be a productive workforce.

The target group will largely comprise youth who come from socially and economically backward backgrounds.

Sources said the main concern for Karnataka was not only the employability factor, but also ensuring that the youth of the State complete their formal education.

The gross enrolment ratio for higher education presently is only 12 per cent.

With 88 per cent of them not even being initiated to higher education, it’s little wonder youth affairs has evidently remained a neglected segment.

If adequate measures are not taken immediately, this large population of youth can become a burden on society, as unemployment could lead to criminal activities and other associated problems like substance abuse and addiction.

Officials said that if their needs are addressed, the State could “harvest the demographic dividend”.

Karnataka, like most Indian states, has not really taken advantage of the demographic dividend.

Sources said that in the next 20 years, the entire working population will comprise the present-day youth and the future youth, and that “investing” in them would benefit the State.

Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda had said his government aimed at channeling the energy of the youth for the development of the economy by ensuring their active participation in agriculture, industry, knowledge and other sectors.

The power of youth

* Youngsters form 36.4 per
cent of Karnataka’s
population

* Of the 6.12 crore people in
the State, 2.224 crore are
youths

* 65.75 per cent of the youth
are among the present
workforce

* In 2020, 4.36 crore youths
will be part of workforce

* 65 per cent of State’s
convicts are youth

* 65 per cent of Karnataka’s
undertrials are youth

* Gross enrolment ratio for
higher education is a
meagre 12 per cent

* 62 per cent of youth live
in rural areas

DHNS (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/236068/yuva-budget-aims-creating-productive.html)

Karnataka scouts for gas, to set up LNG terminal

The Karnataka government is looking at entering into preliminary agreements with gas suppliers for its proposed 2,800 Mw of gas-based power generation capacities at the upcoming investors' meet in June.

To meet its gas demand, the state government will invite companies to set up liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal. The government has also identified land for the project. “Land has been identified at Tadadi in north of Mangalore for the LNG terminal. The terminal can begin with a capacity of 2.5 million tonnes (mt) and expanded later,” said D N Narasimha Raju, principal secretary, department of energy, Karnataka. He was speaking at the sidelines of the 7th Asia Gas Partnership Summit here.


M Naveen Kumar, managing director, Power Company of Karnataka Ltd, said, “We are looking at signing MoU (memorandum of understanding) with gas suppliers during the investors meet.” He said the state government proposes four gas-based power plants of 700 Mw each at Belgaum, Gadag, Davangere and Tumkur, under Case 2 competitive bidding routes, along the upcoming 800-km Dabhol-Bangalore gas pipeline being built by GAIL.

Under Case 2 route, land, water and other facilities are arranged by the government and the project is bid out to a private player through a process of tariff competitive bidding.

“The projects will be finalised depending on the procuring price of natural gas,” he said, adding the ideal price the state government is looking at is $8 per mBtu for developing these projects.

Kumar said the state government has already contracted for off-taking gas from the Dabhol-Bangalore pipeline for a 700 Mw plant at Bidadi, which will be imported in the form of liquefied natural gas at the Dabhol terminal.

The Karnataka cabinet had last year approved sourcing LNG from the spot market to encash on the price advantage it enjoys over long-term contracts.

Radar stations to come up in Bhatkal and Suratkal soon

Rajender Singh Sapal, Commandant, Coast Guard, Karwar, in Bhatkal, where a radar station will be set up soon.
Rajender Singh Sapal, Commandant, Coast Guard, Karwar, in Bhatkal, where a radar station will be set up soon.

adar stations will be set up in Bhatkal and Suratkal to keep an eye on the movement of vessels in the Arabian Sea in the next three months.

Rajender Singh Sapal, Commandant, Coast Guard, Karwar, told reporters in Bhatkal on Saturday that the radars would cover the coastal Karnataka.

The proposed radars would keep a track of the moving boats of the Goa coast also. It will also be helpful in getting information on weather. Indian coast guard would distribute 6,000 life jackets among the fishermen. These jackets would be distributed before next monsoon.

He said that the identity cards would be given to the fishermen soon. The Minster for Fisheries would inaugurate the distribution programme.

Mr. Sapal advised Fishermen to go for fishing in groups. He asked them to keep identity card while in the sea. He also advised the fishermen not to take the minors for fishing as it is illegal. He asked the fishermen to call toll free number 1554 if any non-Indian boat was found or any help from the Coast Guard was required.

Lt. Bappaditya Ghosh from Karwar, Assistant Director of Fisheries Chandrasekhar, Narayan Kharvi, officers of Coastal Security Police, Bhatkal CPI Shivprakash, Rural PSIs and other officials from Coast Guard and Navy were present.

Remote eyes to track criminals in tier-II cities

Bangalore, March 25 2012, DHNS:
Six districts will be brought under surveillance cameras by June 2012 to streamline traffic management and keep an eye on crime and criminals in tier-2 cities, DG&IGP Shankar Bidari said.

In the next three months, Bellary, Belgaum and Gulbarga cities will be brought under camera surveillance in 45 locations. Last year, Surveillance system was set up in Mangalore, Hubli and Shimoga cities. The visuals captured by these cameras will help take action against violators and regulate traffic besides keeping a tab on criminal activities. In due course, the number of locations under surveillance will be increased in all these places, he added.

Blackberry-driven paperless traffic rules enforcement will be extended to the entire State, making Karnataka the first State in the country to do so.

DHNS (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/236066/poverty-highest-ktaka-among-southern.html)

Can somebody come up with a figure how much the union government spends per person in each of the southern states including on railways.
Man, this is shameful..i have always prided myself from being from the best state in india..karnataka should nothave so much poverty.. :-(

the govt has to focus on the poor...

Also the industrial growth has slumped :-(

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/States-industrial-growth-is-567/articleshow/12422393.cms

Man, this is shameful..i have always prided myself from being from the best state in india..karnataka should nothave so much poverty.. :-(

the govt has to focus on the poor...


may be in this state we don't have rowdisim and mafia harrasing ppl..but if u take out blore from karnataka..then this state will be ranked among poorest in the country..particularly NK in that HK..no basic aminites..blore got 7500 crores what about rest of state..??:bash:

above that the centre is not willing to grant HK special status under article 371..:bash:

i think having seperate state or else atleast a seperate budget for karnataka without blore then we can think of getting something..

blore development is not helping ppl of karnataka..it only helps when u show the output on papers..

blore development is not helping ppl of karnataka.

Are you not in Bangalore for job? :) If karnataka had no metro city you would have been in hyderabad or chennai or mumbai now for job. :cheers:

may be in this state we don't have rowdisim and mafia harrasing ppl..but if u take out blore from karnataka..then this state will be ranked among poorest in the country..particularly NK in that HK..no basic aminites..blore got 7500 crores what about rest of state..??:bash:

above that the centre is not willing to grant HK special status under article 371..:bash:

i think having seperate state or else atleast a seperate budget for karnataka without blore then we can think of getting something..

blore development is not helping ppl of karnataka..it only helps when u show the output on papers..
Dude, the problem is in around 10 districts especially in the HK region..remaining 20 dis(old mysore + coastal region) have some of the best HDI in india..its not only bangalore, mysore, DK, UK, Kodagu, Udupi, shimoga etc etc are much much better than most regions in india..

and as akash said, no point blaming bangalore's growth, it has to be used to make other regions also better..

may be in this state we don't have rowdisim and mafia harrasing ppl..but if u take out blore from karnataka..then this state will be ranked among poorest in the country..particularly NK in that HK..no basic aminites..blore got 7500 crores what about rest of state..??:bash:

above that the centre is not willing to grant HK special status under article 371..:bash:

i think having seperate state or else atleast a seperate budget for karnataka without blore then we can think of getting something..

blore development is not helping ppl of karnataka..it only helps when u show the output on papers..

Dude where did you got this idea ?

Don't forget BLR generates 55% of KA's revenue. In the budget allocation of 7500 crore to BLR, Govt actually spend ~3000 crores. ie 10% of Revenue from Bangalore.
Remaining 90% to rest of KA. This includes Aggriculture, Irrigation, Roads, Pension, Railways, water supply ,others ...etc

& Bangalore growing mainly because its bordering to 4 southern states defnatly not because of govt encouragement.

Instead of cribbing we need to elect a right candidates who do something for KA. Take a risk ,start business & give employment to people. This is how Tamils do. but this what lacking in ours.

Don't get you Tamil Hilter ideas into Karnataka. Everyone Know that, you are Tamilian. Be proud for that and concentrate on development Tamil Nadu.

who said Bangalore is because of 4 southern States. We sow the seeds of Development in Bangalore by Giving what's required to Grow Karnataka and Bangalore being the Capital of Karnataka.

Sawmi Vivekananda said " Indian sow the seeds of civiliztion, Europeans protect them, Americians are bearing the fruits"

Similarly every migrant to Bangalore things it's only because of Him/Her only Bangalore is possible.

we would like to leave these mentally retarded ppl in their own Kingdom.

Boss come to reality. your request of Metro rail to your Home in Marathalli along with whitefield , K R Puram, Electronic City was inhabited by 60% Reddy and 40 % Gowda Lineage. Be careful Reddy's are not soft spoken ppl like Kannadiga's.

Telugu community is always in favour of Kannadiga's . In Bangalore news channel had done a show as well showing the strong foothold of them in East part of Bangalore.

Lodon, Newyork ,... great Intellectual/Economical/Working class capital are places from different Origin , caste and creed have come to grow together which offers what it needs like Infrastructure, Water, Electricity.

Hope you have a character, remove your disguised name as Halli Huduga, and have the Location as Chennai...... rather than Bangalore.

Debate constructively not like ugly politicians.

Now go to Moderators like Baby and ask them to delete this post.

"Courage, generosity, knowledge and zeal
in boundless measure are four-fold traits
natural to rulers. "

These lines said taken from below link
http://www.tn.gov.in/budget/budgetspeech_e_2012_2013.pdf

Hoping you exhbit these qualities.

Now you should explore what is lacking in propaganda Tamil's like you to think what is lacking......

How to survive in this world , where other Places are become more developed and liveable conditions which you are in search off like a parasite.

Lodon, Newyork ,... great Intellectual/Economical/Working class capital are places from different Origin , caste and creed have come to grow together which offers what it needs like Infrastructure, Water, Electricity.


+1,we kannadigas managed to get approval to install Saint Basvaweshwara's statue on the banks of Thames river in London.We need to come out of religion,regional,caste etc...Globalisation maga :cheers:

The Karnataka government is scouting for natural gas supplies for the 2,800 MW of power plants it plans to put up at four locations in the state.

A senior state government official said that Karnataka needs some 26 million standard cubic meters per day of gas for three power plants at Tumkur, Davangere, Gadag and Belgaum, each with 700 MW of electricity generation capacity. The projects will cost about INR 3,500 crore each and will be built in public private partnership.

Mr N Naveen Kumar MD of Power Company of Karnataka Ltd said that the projects will be awarded to companies offering the least electricity tariff.

Mr Kumar said land for the three projects has been identified and the same will be transfered to private firms offerring the least tariff. Water linkage would also be provided to the developer.

But no company can indicate a power tariff unless it is sure of the rate at which fuel will be supplied, he said adding the state government is in negotiations with state-owned GAIL India Ltd for securing gas supplies.

GAIL is days away from commissioning a 5 million tons a year capacity liquefied natural gas import facility at Dabhol in Ratnagiri district of Maharasthra. It will complete laying a 997 km pipeline from Dabhol to Bangalore for transporting the gas by end of 2012-13 fiscal. The project will cost INR 4,508 crore.

Also, it will connect the under construction LNG import terminal at Kochi in Kerala to Mangalore/Bangalore. Besides PKCL projects, planned projects at Bidadi and Yelahanka by Karnataka Power Corp Ltd would be anchor customers of gas through the pipelines.

http://www.steelguru.com/indian_news/Karnataka_scouting_for_gas_supplies_for_2800_MW_plants/256208.html

oh bangalore. karnataka ppl spent a lot of money 2 build vidhanasoudha & b'lore. but not much benefited in return. stil dey hav 2 supply water, energy every oder raw material. ons upon time japan used 2 get raw material from everywhere & make money. b'lore is like dat. b'lore no power cut inspite of not producing even 1 unit of energy. but energy producing parts of karnataka r in full darkness. if v ensure continuous power in oder districts then al industries happily move out of b'lore 2 dese districts in no time.

our mlas njoying in pubs & resorts of b'lore dont hav time 2 develop poor parts of karnataka. if u ask 4 development dey bring pubs & resorts.

b'lore shud return with interest d money invested in it by kannadigas. so far it is not even paying back interest fully.

current location of karnataka capital is not suitabl 4 kannadigas. it mor suitabl 4 tamils & malayalis. dere is a plas called honalli btwn shimoga & davangere ideal 2 b new capital of karnataka. honalli shud b declared as new capital imediately. honalli is @ centre of karnataka. honalli means golden vilej. honalli vilej has potential 2 make gandhada gudi a chinnada gudi.

attrition rate 4 IT is very low in locations like mangalore. infosys declared awards 4 dis many times. b'lore attrition rate is very high & IT companys prefer oder states bcos no alternativ plas is developed by damned karnataka government.

Hello guys y my post has been removed..who is the moderator i don't know..but i haven't used anything that is unprofessional..can you(moderator) plz justify the reason behind removing..:ohno:

Can we see some project news here? :) Chit chat discussions can be done via PM.

^^ Atleast may i know who has deleted those posts ?. Then Why JhonJ post still there. ? Thanks

If you have anything positive to contribute to this thread please do!! else you may stay away.This place is not for personal fights

^^ ar yar . Those post were deleted that's fine.,.Am just asking why JhonJ post still kept there. Who has deleted ?

^^ ar yar . Those post were deleted that's fine.,.Am just asking why JhonJ post still kept there. Who has deleted ?

see you are again dragging the issue for no reasons,with the above statement looks like you have something personal against johnj,you may sort out those issues via PM,

Please stop it here and free this thread from personal fights.We welcome you to post some development news here.

http://www.deccanheraldepaper.com/pdf/2012/04/04/20120404a_002103002.jpg

Chitradurga, Bijapur to get water from reservoirs

Shimoga, Apr 3, 2012, DHNS :
The State government has decided to supply drinking water to Bijapur and Chitradurga districts from reservoirs under the ‘Kannada Ganga’ water supply scheme in the coming days, said Minister for Law, Urban Development and Parliamentary Affairs Suresh Kumar.

Speaking with mediapersons here on Tuesday, he said this apart, the government will supply drinking water to towns and cities across the State under the scheme. Except Malur in Kolar district, other towns and cities in the State have good sources of water and the scheme is likely to be implemented across the State soon. The funding pattern is being finalised and the Cabinet approval for the scheme is awaited.

Referring to solid waste management in the State, he said except Tumkur, work on solid waste management has been initiated across the State. Places to dispose of solid waste have been identified.

The solid waste management will ensure clean and safe environment through systematic collection, transportation and disposal of waste. Besides, biodegradable and non-biodegradable wastes are being segregated at the ward level in Bangalore.

http://www.deccanheraldepaper.com/pdf/2012/04/04/20120404a_003105005.jpg

deleted

Nabard assistance to Karnataka crosses Rs 6,000 crore


http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/multimedia/dynamic/01042/nabard_1042958f.jpg

BANGALORE APRIL 3:
The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (Nabard) assistance to the Karnataka Government, banks and NGOs in 2011-12 has crossed Rs 6,000 crore.

The Chief General Manager of Nabard, Mr S.N.A. Jinnah, addressing a press conference, said “agricultural credit and rural development assistance for Karnataka during financial year 2011-12 has been Rs 6,053 crore, a growth of 40 per cent over the previous year (2010-11).”

“Major chunk of credit (Rs 3,775 crore) was provided for hassle-free crop loans to farmers, followed by Rs 739-crore assistance to the State Government under the RIDF and Rs 1,345 crore disbursed to various banks for capital formation in agriculture,” he added.

Nabard has also introduced a new product Nabard Infrastructure Development Assistance (NIDA), under which Rs 42 crore was sanctioned to Karnataka State Warehousing Corporation for construction of rural godowns and Rs 244 crore to Krishna Bhagya Jala Nigam to take up lift irrigation schemes.

Mr Jinnah said, “One of the key strategies of Nabard is to improve the income level of farmers in dry land areas. For this, about 231 projects under watershed covering over three lakh hectares spread over 24 districts were assisted with Rs 39 crore during the year.”

Under the Tribal Development Fund, 17,000 tribal families have been assisted with a financial support of Rs 59.70 crore. About 1,300 Farmers' Clubs were formed during the year which will serve as an effective linkage between banks, technology institutions and markets.
RURAL FINANCE

Nabard, last month, facilitated the Kolar District Co-operative Bank (DCCB) to qualify for the RBI licence. “The Karnataka Government released Rs 5.91 crore to Kolar DCCB to recapitalise and qualify for the RBI licence. This capital infusion was needed as per the Vaidyanathan Committee guidelines to strengthen rural co-operative credit institutions,” said Mr Jinnah. The process of installing core banking solutions (CBS) in seven DCCBs with the apex bank is being facilitated by Nabard. “With this, now, all the co-operative banks in the state are expected to be CBS-compliant by March 2013,” he added.

Nabard has supported banks for its financial inclusion roll-out in 3,395 villages through the Business Correspondent model and brick and mortar branches.

Financial assistance of Rs 1.6 crore was provided to Cauvery Kalpatharu and Chikmagalur-Kodagu Grameena Banks for implementation of FIs through smart cards.

SELF-HELP GROUPS

“Our focus on graduation of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) to micro enterprises has been a top priority. As many as 1.10 lakh SHGs have been promoted during 2011-12 and refinance support of Rs 419 crore was extended to banks during the year,” said Mr Jinnah

“NABFINS, a subsidiary of Nabard, has also been extended a refinance of Rs 200 crore to extend loans to 11,000 SHGs. Further, 11,000 joint liability groups have been promoted and assisted by us which will enable tenant farmers, oral lessees etc. to access bank credit,” he added.

Under financial and non-financial support to producers' organisation in the state, this is crucial in ensuring better price spread to farmers.

“An amount of Rs 22.55 crore to Chitradurga Oilseed Growers' Federation, Chitradurga and Rs 10 crore to Totagar Arecanut Growers' Society in Uttara Kannada have been sanctioned to benefit small and marginal farmers,” explained Mr Jinnah.
For the development of rural non-farm sector, apart from providing refinance support to the banks, Nabard supported 249 entrepreneurship/ skill development programmes, most of them through the RUDSETIs and RSETIs.

Rural artisans and SHG members were supported to participate in 21 marketing events.


http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/agri-biz/article3277805.ece?homepage=true&ref=wl_home

http://www.deccanheraldepaper.com/pdf/2012/04/05/20120405a_003105009.jpg

New apparel manufacturing unit to come up in Karnataka


The Karnataka government has signed an Expression of Interest (EOI) with the Coimbatore-based Aravind Apparels for setting up a Rs. 50 crore garment production factory in Sullia taluk of the Dakshina Kannada district of the state.

The agreement was signed by Aravind Apparels Managing Director MP Aravind and SG Hegde, Joint Director of District Industries Centre (DIC).

Dr. DS Vishwanath, Managing Director, Karnataka State Small Scale Industries Development Corporation Limited (KSSSIDC), said the state government has identified six towns and cities for the development of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) – Bangalore, Belgaum, Gulbarga, Hubli, Mangalore and Mysore.

He said MSMEs account for about 45 percent of total manufacturing in the country. He added that about 40 percent of all exports from India are from MSMEs, which provide employment to over 60 million people.

Karnataka Plan for 2012-13 Finalized

The Annual Plan for the year 2012-13 for the state of Karnataka was finalised here today at a meeting between Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission, Mr. Montek Singh Ahluwalia and Chief Minister of Karnataka, Shri D. V. Sadananda Gowda. The plan size has been agreed at Rs. 42,030crore.

Commenting on the priorities of the 12th plan, Mr Ahluwalia said that the plan will have incentive for efficient water management as water crisis in the long term were more serious than the energy crisis and both States and centre need to realise the need to take necessary steps in this direction. He said water use efficiency has to be improved urgently.

On plan performance, Mr Ahluwalia said that the State has a good record in expenditure realisation as well as in fiscal prudence. He said the State can play a more important role in giving lead to other States in introducing technology for improving governance. He said more focussed attention was needed in agriculture and infrastructure sectors. He said investor friendly environment in infrastructure development was required and public private partnership should be encouraged to expedite development process.

On economic growth and state income, it was pointed out that the growth rate have slowed down recently and was less than the national average. Special attention was required to give necessary impetus to education and health sectors, Attention was also drawn to regional imbalance in social indicators. Need to reduce disparities was stressed and area based intervention was recommended. The overall growth rate of GSDP (at 1999 – 2000 prices) of the State during Tenth Plan period was 6.73% against the all India growth rate of 6.99%. The growth rate of NSDP of the state during the same period was 6.45% against the all India growth rate of 6.96%. The state witnessed a very high growth rate (in terms of GSDP at constant prices) of 12.60% during 2007-08 which has declined sharply to 8.87% in 2010-11. The per capita income in the State has also increased from Rs. 29295 in 2005-06 to Rs. 39301 in 2010-11.

It was also indicated that the share of primary & secondary sector has fallen over the years while that of tertiary sector has been continuously increasing from 2005-06 onwards. In percentage terms the agriculture & allied sector has declined from 19.54% in 2004-05 to 16.02% in 2010-11. Attention was also drawn to rate of work completion as well as sharp decline in generation of employment under rural employment guarantee programme. The State Government was advised to take necessary steps to enhance coverage of beneficiaries from the minority community as per guideline of the scheme.

In his comments on the plan performance, Mr Gowda said that Karnataka is one of the few major States that have consistently realized more resource than what was budgeted in the five Year Plans. The State is likely to achieve an expenditure of Rs. 1,14,152 crore against an allocation of Rs. 1,01,664 crore in the Eleventh Five Year Plan. All the sectors have performed reasonably well. The Chief Minister said that to ensure better service delivery with efficiency, transparency, timeliness and accountability and to curtail red tape and delay tactics implementation of the “Karnataka Guarantee of Services to Citizen’s Act 2011” covering 151 services across 11 departments has been initiated. He said Karnataka is among the few states to start the outcome based monitoring through the Result Framework Document developed by the Government of India and is in the process of examining and implementing the Karnataka’s Expenditure Reforms Commission’s report, which focuses on the planning process, size and nature of schemes and subsidy. http://pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx?relid=82181

Karnataka to host Global Investors Meet on June 7, 8

Karnataka will hold its flagship event “Global Investors Meet-2012”on June 7-8 as part of the Government's campaign to promote the state for investment.

Karnataka is set to attract investments to the tune of six lakh crore into the state during the GIM 2012.

The spinoff will include the creation of over 10 lakh jobs apart from achieving overall economic growth in the State.

GIM Expo planned at the BIEC also seeks to showcase the top 20 industry and service sectors over an area of 20,000 sq metres, according to a press statement.
Focus on sectors

Global Investors Meet 2012 will focus on sectors such as energy, urban infrastructure, transport infrastructure, engineering and aerospace, tourism, chemicals and petro chemicals, biotechnology, education, information technology, tourism, mines and minerals, textiles and apparels and agro food processing with a special focus on MSME segment.

As part of this, several senior executives from companies including Chettinad Cement Corporation, BMP Green Energy, Hinduja Foundries Kaizen Nano Labs and TVS Lucas had discussions with official from the Karnataka Government, according to the statement.

Officials from the government, including Mr K. Jyothiramalingam I.A.S., Principal Secretary, Commerce and Industries, and Mr Maheshwar Rao I.A.S., Commissioner, Industrial Development, Government of Karnataka, met the potential investors.

“In sectors like auto and auto components, IT & ITES, cement and energy, we are looking at more investments coming in from companies based in Tamil Nadu,” Mr Jyothiramalingam said, according to the statement.
On infrastructure

He said that tier 2 cities were well equipped to offer the best infrastructure and other requisite amenities at par with Bangalore.

He added that the Government is committed to providing a special package for investors looking at regions outside Bangalore.
Auto-cluster

According to the statement, Karnataka plans to develop an auto cluster in Hubli-Dharwad.

The Government is planning mega infrastructure projects such as special investment regions, integrated townships, focused industrial clusters, etc. in the State.

“In the pipeline is the pharma SEZ in Hassan and pharma park at Yadgir which will offer companies top of the line infrastructure.

“The State's focus is mainly on renewable energy, merchant power plants,” the statement said. http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/economy/article3300812.ece?ref=wl_industry-and-economy

Karnataka plans tyre factory at Sullia taluk

The Karnataka Government has shown interest in starting a rubber tyre factory in Sullia taluk of Dakshina Kannada district.

The Chief Minister, Mr D.V. Sadananda Gowda, discussed the feasibility of setting up the factory with the officials of the Infrastructure Development Department at Mandekolu village on Tuesday.

He said Dakshina Kannada and the surrounding districts contribute 8,000 tonnes of rubber a year from 20,000 hectares of land under cultivation. Of this, Karnataka Forest Development Corporation (KFDC) owns around 4,400 hectares of rubber plantations.
public-private partnership model

He said that the project will be taken up under the public-private partnership (PPP) model. Availability of power, water and land will not be a problem for the project.

Around 100 acres of land belonging to various government agencies are available at Ajjavara village in Sullia taluk.

Dr Raj Kumar Khatri, Secretary, Infrastructure Development Department, said that Infrastructure Development Corporation Karnataka (IDECK) has prepared the pre-feasibility report on the project.

A detailed technical feasibility study and environmental impact of the project should be done, he said.
Feasibility study

After that the Government should hold consultations with the tyre manufacturers to discuss the findings of the technical feasibility study. Based on its outcome, letters of intent or proposals for setting up of a tyre factory in Sullia may be invited, he said.

Mr Gowda asked the officials concerned to speed up the matter.

Later, Mr Gowda told newspersons that the proposed project would attract investments of around Rs 400 crore in the region. Nearly 80 per cent of the jobs in the proposed plant will be earmarked for the local people.

A presentation by IDECK, which prepared the pre-feasibility report on the project, mentioned that a few tyre manufacturers have expressed their willingness to set up a tyre manufacturing plant in Sullia.

They are seeking the support from the Government in the form of even and vacant land of at least 50 acres.

They are also seeking tax exemption for at least the first 10 years of commercial operations, it said. http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/economy/article3300815.ece?ref=wl_industry-and-economy

Plan panel approves Karanataka's Rs 42K Cr outlay for 2012-13

New Delhi, Apr 11, 2012 (PTI)
The Planning Commission today approved over 10 per cent hike in the Plan outlay of Karnataka for the current fiscal at Rs 42,030 crore.

The Plan size for fiscal 2012-13 for the state was finalised here at a meeting between Planning Commission's Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia and Chief Minister of Karnataka, D V Sadananda Gowda.

"The Karnataka's plan size has been agreed at Rs 42,030 crore," a statement said here. The Commission had approved an outlay of Rs 38,070 for 2011-12. Commenting the Plan performance of Karnataka, Ahluwalia said that the state has a good record in expenditure realisation as well as in fiscal prudence.

He said the state can play a more important role in giving lead to other states in introducing technology for improving governance. During the meeting Ahluwalia pointed out, "more focussed attention was needed in agriculture and infrastructure sectors and state should encourage public private partnership."

On economic growth and state income, it was pointed out during the meeting that the growth rate has slowed down recently and was less than the national average.

It was also observed that special attention was required to give necessary impetus to education and health sectors. The Commission also drew attention towards regional imbalance in social indicators and stressed on the need to reduce disparities was. It recommended area-based intervention.

Briefing the Commission, Gowda said that Karnataka is one of the few major states that have consistently realized more resource than what was budgeted in the five Year Plans.

The State is likely to achieve an expenditure of Rs 1,14,152 crore against an allocation of Rs. 1,01,664 crore in the Eleventh Five Year Plan (2007-12), the Chief Minister added.

He said, "for ensuring better service delivery with efficiency, transparency, timeliness and accountability and to curtail red tape and delay tactics implementation of the "Karnataka Guarantee of Services to Citizen's Act 2011" covering 151 services across 11 departments has been initiated."

Beer back in flow in Karnataka; excise minister sees rise in revenue

The hiccups in supply of beer, especially draught beer, is over and the brew is available in abundance, said excise minister MP Renukacharya on Tuesday.

Pubs in Bangalore and other parts of the state had to go without business for a few days after March 31 due to the hike in price of liquor from April 1. Procedural delays in enforcing the price hike has been sorted out and supply of draught beer and other liquors is normal, said Renukacharya.

He expressed confidence of exceeding the excise revenue target of `10,700 crore for the current financial year. "I am confident of mobilising more than `11,000 crore from excise. The excise revenue had seen a rise of 16.6% last year. The government is striving hard to fill state's coffers, while the leaders used to work for filling their own pockets during the earlier Congress government," Renukacharya said.

Karnataka govt signs MoU with Vedanta to improve anganwadis



The state government on Tuesday signed a memorandum of understanding with Vedanta Foundation, a non-government organisation to improve the functioning of 2,635 anganwadis in Bangalore Rural, Bangalore Urban, Chikballapur and Ramanagara districts in Karnataka.

According to the MoU, the Vedanta Foundation will help the district administration of the four districts in filling gaps between needs and resources in service components of Integrated Child Development Scheme, such as nutrition, pre-schooling, capacity building of workers and empowerment of community. The scope of the programme covers 1,139 Anganwadi Centres in Chickballapur, 1207 Anganwadi Centres in Bangalore Rural, 222 Anganwadi Centres in Bangalore Urban and 67 Anganwadi Centres in Ramnagara.

Over 1, 10,000 children between the age group of 3 and 6 years will benefit from the programme. Ramesh B Zalki, principal secretary to government, Department of Women & Child Development said: “The Anganwadi programme was designed to tackle the problem of malnutrition, infant mortality and immunisation. Learning while playing also helps children inculcate values and bring about a desire for education. Vedanta Foundation's proven expertise in supporting Anganwadis will further augment Karnataka government's Anganwadi initiative.”

Ravi Krishnan, CEO, Vedanta Foundation, said: “Our endeavour has been to support the government in alleviating malnutrition. Through our Bal Shakti Programme, we aim to provide children living at the bottom of the pyramid proper nutrition, healthcare and pre-school education at their respective Anganwadis.”

“I’ll conduct counselling for pregnant women and their family members. I will explain to them the importance of a girl child and the benefits of the Bhagyalakshmi scheme. We also give 1.5 kg rice and 100 g dal per month to each pregnant woman," said Shivamma NC, an anganwadi teacher at Kaverinagar in Bangalore.

Karnataka identifies four coir clusters for regeneration

BANGALORE APRIL 11:
The Coir Board plans to launch a slew of new products as well as initiatives to grow its domestic sales.

“The Coir Board is planning to launch low-cost products, popularise coir-based products in north and north eastern states and incentivise entrepreneurs to take up value-added products,” said the Coir Board Chairman, Prof G. Balachandran.

The board expects these initiatives will boost sales from domestic business over 65 per cent to Rs 2,000 crore for the current fiscal.

The overall growth for the fiscal is expected to increase 15 per cent.

POTENTIAL IN KARNATAKA

The Coir Board is also planning to double coir fibre production in Karnataka as the state is one of the major coconut growing regions in the country. Currently, the state's share is less than 10 per cent out of a total production of 5.3 lakh tonne coir fibre output in the country.

As part of this scheme, four clusters have been indentified in Karnataka which include, Channapatna, Hassan, Gubbi and Arsikere.

A sum of Rs 1 crore each has been sanctioned for regeneration of industry through cluster based development, Mr Balachandran said.

Under rejuvenation, modernisation and technology upgradation (REMOTE) scheme in the state.

The Coir Board in 2011-12 has disbursed Rs 20 lakh as subsidy to set up 10 tiny household units and also has disbursed Rs 1.60 lakhs as subsidy for two spinning units in the state.

Centre may clear Karnataka's plan to set up IT investment region

The Centre is considering Karnataka's proposal to set up a zone that will house IT, hardware and manufacturing companies.

The Information Technology Investment Region (ITIR) project is aimed at developing the IT, ITeS and electronic hardware manufacturing sectors that are looking to expand.
44 firms interested

The project is to be completed in two phases over a period of 10-12 years. The estimated investment for the ITIR is Rs 90,000 crore.

Of these, the Karnataka Government has sought the Centre's support of Rs 5,790 crore.

According to the document sent to the Centre, Karnataka's Department of IT, Biotechnology (BT) and Science and Technology (S&T) a survey in 2010 revealed that 44 companies are interested in setting up units in the proposed region.

Similar proposals from Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu were also made to the Centre though Karnataka is likely to get the nod. The Karnataka Government had earlier submitted a detailed concept note to the Centre for this project.

According to the plan, the State wants to set up the ITIR in an area of 42.51 sq km near the Bangalore International Airport. The Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB) has also announced that it will acquire 2,072 acres for the first phase of this project.
Road & rail connectivity

The envisaged Rs 90,000-crore investment would include road and rail connectivity in two phases. The proposed project would generate about 1.1 million direct and 2.7 million indirect jobs.

Further, the State Government has proposed to lay 60-km water pipeline to supply recycled water. For power requirements, six substations and 65-km transmission lines are proposed to be set up at a cost of Rs 281 crore. http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/info-tech/article3304194.ece?ref=wl_industry-and-economy

Coir Board seeks support from State government

Although Karnataka is the second largest producer of coconut in the country, its coir production is far below its potential, said Chairman of the Coir Board G. Balachandran here on Wednesday.

“More than 80 per cent of coconut husk, which is used for making coir, is burned,” Prof. Balachandran said. Although the government had issued a Gazette notification in 1997 prohibiting the burning of husk for commercial purposes, the notification has never been implemented, he said.

Prof. Balachandran pointed out that Karnataka, despite being a prime producer of coconut, accounts for only one-tenth of the country's coir output of 5.3 lakh tonnes in 2011-12.

A Coir Board official said that a leading cigarette manufacturer is a major user of coconut husk in the State. “Commercial interests are being allowed to dominate an industry that can provide jobs and support livelihoods in the State,” the official said.

He pointed out that the State Government's support to the coir industry is only about Rs. 50 lakh a year, compared to Rs. 100 crore in Tamil Nadu.

He said that there are about 500 small industrial units in the State that are registered with the board.

Prof. Balachandran said that the board, with support from the Union Government, has been implementing a Rs. 243-crore package to support the use of machinery. The package includes a subsidy component of Rs. 99 crore. The turnover of the industry in 2011-12 was about Rs. 2,050 crore, including exports worth Rs. 850 crore. Prof. Balachandran, who took over as chairman a few weeks ago, said the potential domestic market for coir is “at least Rs. 2,000 crore”.

Hybrid paddy among six new crop varieties to be released by UAS-B

The University of Agricultural Sciences-Bangalore is all set to release six new crop varieties, including a hybrid variety of paddy and blast-resistant variety of ragi in the next six months.

Announcing this at a press conference in Bangalore on Wednesday, UAS-B Vice-Chancellor K. Narayana Gowda said the varieties had been developed after several years of research and field trials. Now, clearance had been obtained for releasing these varieties for commercial cultivation in the State.

Researchers interested

Dr. Gowda said the new paddy variety, KRH-4, had already evoked curiosity among researchers in different parts of the country.

Explaining the features of the new varieties, UAS-B Research Director H. Shivanna said KRH-4 paddy would yield 7.8 tonnes a hectare which was 12 per cent higher than the earlier variety of KRH-2. This variety has been recommended for growing in irrigated areas of old Mysore.

Ragi

The KMR-204 variety of ragi, to be released shortly, is blast-resistant and brick red in colour, he said.

Sesame GT-1 variety is known for its high oil-yielding potential that can go up to 54 per cent.

Another proposed variety is pigeon pea (BRG-10-2) that is suitable for late planting, especially in the cases of delayed monsoon.

Other varieties

The other two proposed varieties are vegetable cowpea AV-5 and Fodder Oats OS-6. The Fodder Oats, recommended for cultivation in irrigated areas, has high crude protein content.

Karnataka to give 500 acres to HAL

The state government may give 500 acres of land in Bidar to the defence PSU Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to set up its advanced utility helicopter (AUH) manufacturing unit.
The state Cabinet, which will be meeting here on Thursday, is expected to give approval for sanctioning the land, which the HAL felt will be suitable to house its prestigious project. According to sources, the state government, following a request by the HAL has decided to provide 500 acres of land at Bidar where the Indian Air Force also has its base.
The HAL is planning to develop Bidar as an exclusive hub for its helicopter manufacturing facilities if the land was sanctioned, the sources added.
This apart, the Cabinet is also expected to give its nod for issuing appointment orders to 629 high school teachers.
These teachers were selected through the Karnataka Public Service Commission.
Among many, there willl be prominent subjects that the Cabinet may handle in its discussion during the meeting.
Transfer of Nemmadi project from Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms to the Revenue Department, framing of guidelines for the appointment of teaching staff to AYUSH colleges, grant of central scales to the officers and officials of Karnataka High Court, waiver of loans to the weavers to Karnataka Handloom Development Corporation. may be discussed in the meeting.http://ibnlive.in.com/news/karnataka-to-give-500-acres-to-hal/247988-60-115.html

10% hike in Karnataka outlay for 12th Plan

The Planning Commission approved over 10% hike in the plan allocation of Karnataka for the current fiscal at Rs 42,030 crore. The plan outlay for 2011-12 was Rs 38,070.

The annual plan size for fiscal 2012-13 was finalized here on Wednesday at a meeting between deputy chairman of Planning Commission Montek Singh Ahluwalia and Karnataka CM D V Sadananda Gowda.

During the meeting, the deputy chairman said that the state has a good record both in expenditure realization and fiscal prudence. He said Karnataka can play a more important role in helping other states to introduce technology for improving governance.

Ahluwalia pointed out, "More focused attention was needed in agriculture and infrastructure sectors and state should encourage public private partnership." However, attention was drawn to the slowdown of Karnataka's growth rate that is lagging behind the national average along with a special focus to give fillip to education and health sectors.

The Commission also drew attention towards regional imbalance in social indicators and stressed on the need to reduce disparities. It recommended area-based intervention.

Briefing the Commission, Gowda said that Karnataka is one of the few major states that have consistently realized more resource than what was budgeted in the five year Plans. The state is likely to achieve an expenditure of Rs 1,14,152 crore against an allocation of Rs 1,01,664 crore in the 11th Five Year Plan (2007-12), he added.

Karnataka CM said steps are being initiated for ensuring better service delivery with efficiency, transparency, timeliness and accountability and to curtail red tape in implementation of the "Karnataka Guarantee of Services to Citizen's Act, 2011" covering 151 services across 11 departments.

Gowda said Karnataka is among the few states to start the outcome-based monitoring through the Result Framework Document developed by the Centre, and is in the process of examining and implementing the Karnataka's Expenditure Reforms Commission's report that focuses on the planning process, size and nature of schemes and subsidy.

Commenting on the priorities of the 12th Plan, Ahluwalia said that it would have incentive for efficient water management as water crisis is a more serious challenge than energy security. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/10-hike-in-Karnataka-outlay-for-12th-Plan/articleshow/12630880.cms

Karnataka identifies four coir clusters for regeneration

The Coir Board plans to launch a slew of new products as well as initiatives to grow its domestic sales.

“The Coir Board is planning to launch low-cost products, popularise coir-based products in north and north eastern states and incentivise entrepreneurs to take up value-added products,” said the Coir Board Chairman, Prof G. Balachandran.

The board expects these initiatives will boost sales from domestic business over 65 per cent to Rs 2,000 crore for the current fiscal.

The overall growth for the fiscal is expected to increase 15 per cent.
Potential in Karnataka

The Coir Board is also planning to double coir fibre production in Karnataka as the state is one of the major coconut growing regions in the country. Currently, the state's share is less than 10 per cent out of a total production of 5.3 lakh tonne coir fibre output in the country.

As part of this scheme, four clusters have been indentified in Karnataka which include, Channapatna, Hassan, Gubbi and Arsikere.

A sum of Rs 1 crore each has been sanctioned for regeneration of industry through cluster based development, Mr Balachandran said.

Under rejuvenation, modernisation and technology upgradation (REMOTE) scheme in the state.

The Coir Board in 2011-12 has disbursed Rs 20 lakh as subsidy to set up 10 tiny household units and also has disbursed Rs 1.60 lakhs as subsidy for two spinning units in the state. http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/agri-biz/article3304139.ece?ref=wl_industry-and-economy

Land for helicopter unit in Bidar

The State Government has agreed to provide land sought by the Ministry of Defence for setting up a helicopter manufacturing unit in Bidar.

Briefing presspersons after a meeting of the State Cabinet, Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs S. Suresh Kumar said that the helicopter manufacturing unit will be established by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. The Union Government had requested for 500 acres of land. Defence Minister A.K. Antony had also referred to the need for land to set up the unit, primarily to manufacture utility helicopters.

The State Government has identified 326 acres of land in Aurad taluk, 348 acres of land in Bhalki taluk and 384 acres of land in Bidar taluk. It is for the Ministry of Defence and HAL to finalise the plot of land required and the State Government has agreed to provide the land at the local guidance value. “We are happy that a major Central manufacturing unit is coming up in Bidar,” the Minister said.

The Cabinet also approved the sale of 440 acres of land in Chitradurga district to Trans India Shipping Services Private Limited which has proposed to set up a steel manufacturing plant along with a 72 MW captive power plant. The land will be made available to the company at market value and the land sought by the company, located in the taluks of Holalkere, Challakere and Hiriyur, is owned by the Government.

In another important decision, the Cabinet approved a new farmer welfare project, “K-Kisan”, which will be an extension in the services rendered under the Raitha Mitra Yojana Programme of the Department of Agriculture. The 743 Raitha Samparka Kendras in the State will give added information to farmers apart from providing seeds, pesticides, etc. The new project is estimated to cost Rs. 53 crore of which Rs. 39 crore will be for capital expenditure.

The Raitha Samparka Kendras will be networked with 176 taluk offices of assistant directors of agriculture apart from the 23 district-level farm training centres. In a coordinated manner, information will be provided to farmers round-the-clock on soil conditions, water availability, rainfall, market inputs and the price that they could expect for their agricultural produce. Farmers can obtain information on crops that they could cultivate based on a variety of factors.

Mr. Suresh Kumar said the Cabinet also gave its approval for grant of deemed university status to the Indian Institute of Horticultural Research. The IIHR was established in 1968 at Hesarghatta. The State Government has given its No Objection Certificate (NOC) for the Union Government to give deemed university status to IIHR.

The Nemmadi programme, computerisation of land records and resultant quick services to farmers, which had run into rough weather following some deficiencies, are being reworked and the Department of Revenue will be in overall charge of this. Approval has been given for establishment of 447 Nada Kaccheri's at the hobli level, and deputy tashildars will head them.

Further, 1,194 village accountants will be posted at these offices to render services to rural people closer to their homes. The Cabinet also approved the renovation of left bank canal of the Kabini dam at a cost of Rs. 9.70 crore, the left bank canal of the Taraka dam at a cost of Rs. 7 crore and the right bank canal of the Harangi dam at a cost of Rs. 31.75 crore.http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-karnataka/article3309323.ece

^^
HAL plans helicopter unit in Bidar, seeks 500 acres

The Defence Ministry has sought 500 acres of land in Karnataka's Bidar district for Hindustan Aeronautics Limited to establish a helicopter manufacturing unit.

A meeting of the state cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda, offered land in three taluks of the district though none is to the extent that was sought.

Briefing reporters, Law and Urban Development Minister S Suresh Kumar said 384 acres, 348 acres and 326 acres belonging to Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board in Bidar, Bhalki and Aurad taluks respectively, were available.

"We are ready to provide these land to Defence Ministry", he added.http://www.deccanherald.com/content/241615/hal-plans-helicopter-unit-bidar.html

Ktk govt approves investment of over Rs 35,785 cr

Bangalore, Apr 13 ,2012, (PTI):
The Karnataka government today approved 43 projects with an investment of over Rs 35,785 crore creating an employment opportunity for 4,83,021 persons.

Briefing reporters after the 27th State High Level Committee Meeting chaired by Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda, Industries Minister Murugesh Nirani said the state government has cleared the proposal of JSW Steel Ltd to set up "Cold Rolled Annealed & Skin Passed Coils" in Sandur taluk, Bellary district with an investment of Rs 4190.40 crore.

"We have approved nine projects in the automobile sector with an investment of Rs 3,628 crore. These projects are proposed in Bangalore Rural, Kolar and Ramanagara districts", Nirani said.

The government has cleared a proposal for Tata Consultancy Services Ltd to establish "IT/ITES SEZ" in Siddapura and Tubarahalli villages, Bangalore Rural district at an investment of Rs 3,400 crore.

Setting up of Rs 2,500 crore "5 MTPA Cement Plant" in Sedam taluk, Gulbarga district by Reliance Cementation Ltd has been cleared, Nirani said.

The government has also cleared a similar proposal to set up a 3.5 MTPA Cement Plant in Chincholi taluk in Gulbarga District with an investment of Rs 2320 crore, he said.

Clearance has been given to Patel Engineering Limited to establish an "Integrated Township" project in Anekal taluk, Bangalore Urban district at an investment of Rs 2025 crore.

The proposal of Toyota Kirloskar Auto Parts Pvt Ltd to establish Castings and Machining of engine parts for automobiles adjacent to their existing factory in Bidadi industrial area in Ramanagara district with an investment of Rs 750 crore and employment to 150 people has been cleared, he said.

Nirani said after the Global Investors' Meet in 2010, the government had approved 903 projects with an investment of Rs 1.71 lakh crore, generating employment for 5.55 lakh persons.

As a result of constant follow up and review, 38 projects were implemented with an investment of Rs 5,370 crore. a total of 277 projects are in various stages of implementation with an investment of Rs 2.94 lakh crore, he said.

MRPL signs phase 3 expansion loan

"Mangalore Refinery & Petrochemicals - a subsidiary of ONGC - has signed a $250 million dual-tranche term loan through sole bookrunner SBI Capital Markets

Karnataka Govt clears 43 projects worth Rs 35,785 cr

BANGALORE APRIL 13:
The Karnataka state high-level clearance committee (SHLCC) has cleared 43 projects with an investment of over Rs 35,785 crore. The projects cleared at today's SHLCC meet are likely to create employment to 4.83 lakh persons in the state.

SECTOR WISE PROJECTS

Following are the sector-wise projects approved: Aerospace - one project - investment Rs 246 crore - employment offered for 558 people.

Automobile –nine - investment Rs 3,628.21 crore - employment potential offered for 7821 people.

Cement – three - investment Rs 6,475.13 crore - employment offered for 1,525 people.

Chemicals – two - investment Rs 595.91 crore -employment offered 558.

Education – one project - investment Rs 493.69 crore - employment offered for 6500 people.

Energy – one project - investment Rs 930 crore - employment offered for 550 people.

Food-based industries – three - investment Rs 275.32 crore - employment offered for 2,359 people.

Integrated township – one project - investment Rs 2,025 crore - employment offered for 490 people.

Iron and steel – one - investment Rs 4,190.40 crore - employment offered for 1,264 people.

IT Park – five - investment Rs 10,184.74 crore - employment offered for 4,14,600 people.

Others – six projects - investment Rs 1,493.71 crore - employment offered for 4,091 people. SEZ – three - investment Rs 3,961 crore - employment offered for 33,200 people.

Sugar – six - investment Rs 999.64 crore - employment offered for 1,713 people.

Textiles – one project - investment Rs 287 crore - employment offered for 450 people.

DISTRICT WISE

Bangalore (rural) - 11 projects - investments Rs 13,525.5 crore - employment 4.07 lakh people.

Bangalore (Urban) - 6 - investments Rs 6,727.74 crore - employment 48,048 people.

Belgaum - 3 - investments Rs 543.64 crore - employment 1,127 people.

Bellary - 1 project - investment Rs 4,190.4 crore - employment 1,264 people; Bidar - 1 - investments Rs 179.5 crore - employment 314 people; Bijapur - 1 - investments Rs 62 crore - employment 72 people; Chikkaballapur - 2 - investments Rs 1,429.91 crore - employment 8,250 people; Dharwad - 1 - investments Rs 493.69 crore - employment 6,500 people; Gulbarga - 3 projects investments Rs 6475.13 crore employment 1,525 people; Hassan - 1 - investments Rs 125.8 crore - employment 84 people; Kolar - 3 - investments Rs 342.86 crore - employment 1,745 people; Mandya - 1 project - investments Rs 99.52 crore - employment 2,000 people; Mysore - 3 - investments Rs 437 crore - employment 1,425 people; Ramanagara - 2 - investments Rs 592.4 crore - employment 528 people; Yadgir - 1 project - investments - employment 1,160 people.

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/economy/article3311698.ece?homepage=true&ref=wl_home

Container rakes move from NMPT to Bangalore
(http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/logistics/article3317953.ece?homepage=true&ref=wl_home)
MANGALORE, APRIL 15:
The Container Corporation of India (CONCOR) has begun operation of container rakes from New Mangalore Port to Bangalore.

A press release by Mr S. Gopalakrishna, Traffic Manager of New Mangalore Port Trust (NMPT), said here that the first container rake from Mangalore to Bangalore began operation on April 10. This will boost the container traffic at the port.

He said the first rake from Bangalore to New Mangalore commenced operation on December 17.

In another development, NMPT manually handled four rakes with an average turnaround time of three hours on April 10.

He said that this handling was on par with mechanised handling of rail-based cargo.

http://www.freeimagehosting.net/t/ujnry.jpg (http://www.freeimagehosting.net/ujnry)
-- Hosadigantha

Karnataka to woo Japanese investors

Singapore, Apr 16, 2012, (PTI)
The Karnataka state government will be wooing Japanese investments for setting up manufacturing industries at a road show it will be holding this week in Tokyo and Osaka.

"We will be addressing major manufacturers in the two Japanese cities and offer them the opportunities to invest in the state," said Karnataka's Minister for Large & Medium Industries Murugesh R Nirani here.

Nirani highlighted investment required for manufacturing industries and renewable energy projects at a road-show held in Singapore today. More than 200 investors attended the road show.

"We have the highest wind energy potential in India and there are opportunities for investing in aerospace, automobile and pharma industries among others," the minister said.
Nirani is leading a business delegation, promoting "Advantage Karnataka" mission, and the Global Investors Meet (GIM) to be held June 7-8 in Bangalore.

The GIM aims to discuss a wider area of investments with international investors as part of the state government's plan to boost economic growth, he said.

The first edition of GIM, held in June 2010, attracted investments worth US$87 million, he said.

Karnataka IT exports touch Rs 1.3 lakh crore in FY12 (http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/foreign-trade/karnataka-it-exports-touch-rs-1-3-lakh-crore-in-fy12/articleshow/12689951.cms)

BANGALORE: Karnataka's IT exports zoomed nearly 50 per cent to touch Rs 1.3 lakh crore in 2011-12, a top state official said today.

"It's (IT exports) now Rs one lakh thirty thousand crore. It is as per the actual figures," Karnataka IT Secretary M N Vidyashankar told reporters.

"Lot of new markets have been discovered in Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America and Africa. Penetration has increased," he added.

In 2010-11, Karnataka had recorded IT exports of Rs 87,000 crore, according to Vidyashankar.

He said the IT department would hold a meeting with the industry soon to discuss the projections for IT exports in the current fiscal.

Meanwhile, IT department officials said a Karnataka Resident Data Hub is planned to be set up this year. It will identify each resident in a unique manner and contain details of the benefits provided to the residents.

It has been noted that the major challenges in implementing beneficiary-oriented welfare programmes are in respect of reaching the needy residents, who have not been able to access the benefits so far, and also to prevent leakages due to multiple benefits to the same individual.

The proposed hub would address these challenges and improve governance of benefit distribution to the state's residents.

"This proposed hub will link all databases of Government", Vidyashankar said.

Officials also said UID-enabled delivery of major beneficiary oriented welfare schemes would be launched as a pilot in Tumkur and Mysore districts, before extending them across the entire state.

So far, 1.4 crore residents in the state have enrolled for UID including 95 per cent residents in Tumkur and Mysore districts, officials said.

Ashtech (India) setting up a cement unit in Raichur Karnataka.

Cement

Status: Under Implementation
Promoter: Ashtech (India)
Project: Cement manufacturing unit
Capacity: 1500 TPD
Location: Growth Centre, dist. Raichur, Karnataka
Current Status: As of March 2012, the civil work is completed and machinery erection is under progress. The project is scheduled for completion in May 2012.

Source : http://indianewprojects.wordpress.com/2012/04/11/ashtech-india-setting-up-a-cement-unit-in-karnataka/

Satyam Cineplexes has completed 4-screen multiplex in Mysore.


Entertainment

Status: Completed
Promoter: Satyam Cineplexes
Project: 4-screen multiplex
Capacity: 1000 seats
Location: Mall of Mysore, Mysore, Karnataka.
Current status: As of March 2012, the civil work has been completed and the multiplex will be inaugurated in April 2012.

Source : http://indianewprojects.wordpress.com/2012/04/11/satyam-cineplexes-has-completed-4-screen-multiplex-in-mysore/

Ashtech (India) setting up a cement unit in Raichur Karnataka.



Source : http://indianewprojects.wordpress.com/2012/04/11/ashtech-india-setting-up-a-cement-unit-in-karnataka/

:cheers:

Aussie firm to design international convention centre in Bangalore

The Karnataka State Industrial & Infrastructure Development Corporation (KSIIDC) has selected a consortium of Populous Design Pty Limited, Australia, and Feedback Infrastructure Services Limited, New Delhi, to provide concept design, architectural design and project management consultancy (PMC) for the proposed international convention centre (ICC).

The ICC is to be developed near Bangalore international airport at a cost of Rs 250 crore. KSIIDC, which owns 35 acres land earmarked for the ICC, is the nodal agency to execute the project. The consortium was selected through a global tender.

Chief minister DV Sadananda Gowda had announced in the Budget for 2012-13 that the design process for the ICC would be completed in the next six months and work on the project under EPC contract was expected to commence during the year.
“There has been a long-felt need for an ICC in Bangalore. The main convention hall will have a seating capacity of 6,000 besides many small conference halls, food courts, exhibition centre among others,” KSIIDC said in a statement.

The chief minister handed over the letter of award to Andrew James, director, Populous Australia, at a function here on Thursday. Gowda suggested KSIIDC to take up development of ‘Aero City’ adjacent to international airport in about 400 acres of land.

The aero city project will have signature/iconic buildings with world-class facilities and social infrastructure offering plug-n-play space for high-tech & knowledge based industries in the field of aero science, nano technology, financial sector, health sector besides IT sector.

Indian firms can do better :cheers:

Soap giant registers 16% profit, requests more land for sandalwood farming

Karnataka Soaps and Detergents (KSDL) which brings out the popular Mysore Sandal Soap has turned “healthy” by registering a Rs16 crore profit during 2011-12.

“The company, which was on the verge of closure, could achieve this only because of the united efforts of the workers and officers,” said Shivananda Naik, chairman of KSDL.

“The recently launched 150 gram Super Premium Mysore Sandal Soap priced at Rs720 has been attracting customers. Our stock of 12,000 units is exhausted. There is a big demand for these. We have decided to produce 5,000 soaps every month. The largest consumers are in Tamil Nadu,” said S Shekar, managing director of the company.

The soap will also be released in Hyderabad, New Delhi and Kolkata, he said.

Questions were raised about the high pricing of the product when it was launched but the big response it got has silenced the critics, Naik said.

“We are not getting sufficient sandalwood in the state and it is also being procured from Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Sandalwood oil is produced from the sandalwood that comes from these states. Apart from this, we have requested the government to provide land for sandalwood farming. There are also schemes where farmers get free sandalwood plants,” he added.
KSDL had come to an agreement with Gas Authority of India for laying a gas pipeline to the plant.

“Earlier, coal was used and pollution was an issue. We will replace the system which will save Rs2 crore for the company,” Shekar said.

The company plans to introduce liquid soap, liquid body wash, perfumes and sprays. It has a share of 4% in Indian market. In Tamil Nadu, the market share is 14%, while in Karnataka, it is 12%.

“Tamil Nadu had been the major market for Mysore Sandal soaps. Tamilians like this brand which was introduced to them from the time of maharajas,” Naik said.

An exclusive agency to monitor PPP projects (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/243668/an-exclusive-agency-monitor-ppp.html)

P M Raghunandan Bangalore, April 20, 2012, DHNS
Having burnt its fingers on public-private partnership (PPP) projects in the past, the State government has now decided to closely monitor implementation of minor airport projects, including those coming up in Shimoga and Gulbarga.

The State Infrastructure Development department (IDD) has appointed Infrastructure Development Corporation (Karnataka) Ltd (IDeCK) as the project monitoring agency for Shimoga and Gulbarga airports. IDeCK will not only monitor and manage the implementation of these projects, but also ensure they achieve the desired objectives. It is for the first time that a professional agency has been appointed to monitor PPP projects in the State.
“The monitoring agency will periodically report to the IDD on all activities. The IDD will review the progress based on the report and take appropriate decisions. This system will ensure that there is no breach of the PPP agreement,” IDD Secretary Rajkumar Khatri said. A team of experts from IDeCK will watch every step that the private partner takes in implementing the projects. It will follow activities like obtaining various clearances from various agencies of the Centre, shifting of utilities, commencement of the construction work and physical progress as per schedule. The experts will also keep track of correspondence of the private player with various agencies of the government, he added. For this, the government is paying Rs three lakh per month as fee to IDeCK, which is a joint venture between the State government, Infrastructure Development Finance Company Limited, and Housing Development Finance Corporation Limited.

The government has had several bad experiences in implementing mega PPP projects, especially the Bangalore Mysore Infrastructure Corridor (BMIC) and the Bengaluru International Airport (BIA). The government came in for severe criticism from all quarters for failing to ensure the desired objective. While the BMIC project is mired in land related litigations, the BIA project was criticised for being sub-standard.

A number of PPP projects fail on account of limited and ineffective contract management.
The primary objective of contract management is to assist the contract authority in anticipating, monitoring and managing risks over the entire project life cycle, an IDeCK official explained. Not just the greenfield airports, project monitoring has been made applicable to all future PPP projects in the State.

The government has planned small airports in three other places of Hassan, Bijapur and Bellary. The IDD is also planning to evolve a mechanism to monitor the operation and maintenance (O&M) works of these airports. With respect to Shimoga and Gulbarga airports, the private partner is in-charge of O&M for 30 years and thereafter the project will be handed over to the government, Khatri said.

Regional advocates moot apex court bench in Bangalore
TNN | Apr 24, 2012 (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mangalore/Regional-advocates-moot-apex-court-bench-in-Bangalore/articleshow/12846146.cms)
MANGALORE: The two-day Regional Advocates' Conference concluded here on Monday with a major resolution that a Supreme Court Bench should be established in South India, preferably at Bangalore. It was resolved in the conference, where advocates from eight districts took part, that there is an urgent need for the establishment of Apex Court bench in South India. The conference held under the aegis of Karnataka Bar Council and Mangalore Bar Association also resolved to urge the Chief Justice of Karnataka High Court to constitute a circuit bench of HC in Dakshina Kannada district.Advocates pointed out that it has become extremely expensive and time consuming for people living in South India to file and pursue matters in the Supreme Court.

Many a times, a just and good cause is lost due to inability of litigants to engage advocates in the Apex Court to pursue their legal battle.On their demand for the constitution of circuit bench in Dakshina Kannada district, advocates highlighted that the number of cases coming before the High Court is increasing. Affordable justice is the need of the hour. Hence it's extremely necessary to establish a circuit bench in Dakshina Kannada, they urged.Advocates emphasized that the method of representation in the State Bar Council has to be altered so as to provide enough representation to each district. They insisted that the present electoral process has to be amended and a provision has to be made for the election of members of State Bar Council. Similarly, rules pertaining to the election of members of Bar Council also should be amended to ensure representation of sufficient number of seats for women, they urged.He said judiciary system in the nation should function in a uniform way. "We need to adopt best policies other state introduced to make the functioning of judiciary uniform. It's unfortunate there is a shortage of division officers, especially in Bangalore to open evening court," he said, and urged that the government should ensure sufficient number of division officers in the state.

Huawei to deploy Airtel’s 4G network in Karnataka

Bangalore, May 3, 2012, DHNS :

Chinese equipment maker Huawei has been selected by Bharti Airtel for deploying TD-LTE (4G) network in Karnataka.

Under the contract, Huawei will plan, design, supply and deploy TD LTE (4G) network in Karnataka for Bharti Airtel.

This will help Airtel customers in the circle enjoy high speed wireless internet access with bandwidth support for intensive applications, video streaming and high-definition video conferencing.

Under the agreement, Huawei will deliver the LTE solution comprising of network infrastructure and devices.

Karnataka Bank to add one million new clients (http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/banking/article3377453.ece)

MANGALORE, MAY 2:
Karnataka Bank will add one million new clients during the current fiscal. Mr P. Jayarama Bhat, Managing Director of the bank, said this at the annual business conference of the regional heads of the bank in Mangalore on Wednesday.

He said the bank's priority will be on retail segment with focus on CASA (current account savings account) deposits by adding one million new clients. It will also focus on retail lending by concentrating on agriculture advances, MSME (micro, small, medium enterprises) advances, etc.

He advised the regional heads to closely monitor the credit portfolio in view of volatility in the market to maintain the health of advances and to avoid any slippage to NPA.

Mr Bhat said the bank has envisaged business growth of 25 per cent during 2012-13, and aims to reach a business turnover of Rs 65,000 crore.

Quoting Mr Bhat, a bank release said here that the bank has planned to open 50 new branches and 100 ATMs during the fiscal. The bank is also committed to implementing the financial inclusion plan by opening new branches in the allocated villages.

He observed that the global economy has not gained the required momentum yet. To give an impetus to investment activity, the RBI has changed the repo and MSF (marginal standing facility) rates. These measures have given the required liquidity to the system and this has resulted in lowering of lending rates, he said.

The uptick in GDP growth during 2012-13 is expected to be driven by robust growth in the services sector, he added.

State forms SPV to build Rs 3,800 cr Tadadi port (http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/state-forms-spv-to-build-rs-3800-cr-tadadi-port/473239/)

The Karnataka government has set up a special purpose vehicle, the Tadadi Port Limited (TPL), for implementing the Rs 3,800 crore all-weather greenfield port at Tadadi on the West Coast. The SPV will act as a subsidiary of the Karnataka State Industrial & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (KSIIDC) which has been designated as the nodal agency for the project.

The first board meeting of the new company, which was held here on Wednesday under the chairmanship of K Jairaj, additional chief secretary, decided to offer the development of the Tadadi Sea Port project to the Ministry of Shipping, Government of India.

Rajaneesh Goel, Managing Director, KSIIDC, said, “The ministry of shipping has responded to our offer and constituted a technical committee to examine the proposal. We have already submitted the detailed project report along with environment impact assessment report to the Development Advisor, Ports. The members of the technical committee visited the proposed site at Tadadi during the third week of March, 2012. The board resolved to impress upon the Union ministry of shipping for expeditious decision to take up this project.”

He said, if the ministry of shipping does not take up the project, the Central government will have to provide viability gap funding (VGF) and the KSIIDC would take up the work. “Already, nine companies have shown interest in the project and have been qualified. We would issue the request for proposal (RFP) to these companies after the government of India’s decision to take over the project. If the government of India takes over the project, they will issue the RFP documents,” Goel told Business Standard.

Vadinar Oil Terminal Limited, Mumbai, Mundra Port & Special Economic Zone Ltd, Consortium of DSC Hung Hua Apollo, Consortium of JSW Infrastructure Limited & Leighton Contractors India Pvt Ltd, Consortium of GVK Transportation Pvt. Ltd. & Samsung C&T India Pvt. Ltd, Consortium of Gammon India & Punj Lloyd Ltd, Consortium of Navayuga Engineering Company & Krishnapatnam Port Company Ltd, Consortium of Malco Power Company Limited, Mumbai & Gangavaram Port Ltd and Consortium of GMR Infrastructure Limited & HCC India Ltd are in the race to bag the project.

He said, the Government of Karnataka through the KSIIDC would continue in the project as a JV partner, even if the government of India takes over the project. There will also be a third partner, who will be selected from the private sector, he said.

The Tadadi port will have a capacity of 62.36 million tonne per annum with eight berths, of which four berths are earmarked for iron ore and coal, three berths for the general cargo and one berth for the LNG for KPCL. The berthing designed for 100,000 DWT (dead weight tonnage) for ore coal vessels and 40,000 DWT general cargo vessels, including two turning circles of 580-metre diametre each.

About 1,419 acres of land at Tadadi, Uttar Kannada District, is available for development of the port.

The proposed port at Tadadi has got an effective hinterland comprising of Central and Northern parts of Karnataka and some parts of Andhra Pradesh, which are rich in large deposits of minerals, forests, agricultural and marine wealth. National Highway 63, National Highway 206 and also the proposed Hubli-Ankola Railway lines will provide good hinterland connectivity.

A consortium of Prointec and Mir Projects and Consultants were appointed through International Competitive Bidding Process. The consultants have submitted the final report during February, 2012. NEERI, a Government of India organisation has been entrusted the work of preparing Report on EIA study. Based on the approval of MoEF for the Terms of Reference, NEERI prepared Draft EIA report and submitted during January 2012.

Mysore region development summit


‘Mysore region business development summit- advantage Karnataka’ is organised on May 4 at Krishna Raja Wadiyar Hall of Senate Bhavan, said president of Federation of Karnataka Chamber of Commerce and Industries J R Bangera.

Addressing a press meet, he said, CM D V Sadananda Gowda would inaugurate, minister of large and medium scale industries Murgesh R Nirani, district in charge minister S A Ramdas, minister for small scale industries Narasimha Nayak would be guests for the event. Bangera said, Chamarajanagar, Chikamagalur, Hassan, Kodagu, Mandya and Mysore are districts included under Mysore region. Bangera said that out of the six districts, Mysore is better developed and other districts are agriculture based and need attention for industrial development.

The summit is organised to showcase potential of Mysore region for investment and development and motivate existing enterprises and attract investors to the region. “Issues faced by large, medium and small scale industries like land, banking, infrastructure, tourism, food processing, trade would be deliberated in the seminar,” he added.

Among 1500 industrialists to participate in the summit, Bangera said that more than 500 are new industrialists who would be participating.http://www.deccanherald.com/content/246513/mysore-region-development-summit.html

United Phosphorus Plans To Tie-Up With Fertilizer Firms

(RTTNews) - United Phosphorus plans to tie-up with regional fertilizer firms to expand its business, reports said, quoting Chief Executive Officer Jai Shroff.

He said, "We plan to be their (fertilizer company) corporate channel partners. Our company will sell crop protection, improved product range and in turn offer market development utilizing their distribution network."

As a first step, the company has collaborated with Karnataka-based Mangalore Chemicals and Fertilizers. It is also exploring similar tie-ups in Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat.

The company already conducted a preliminary study and would be short listing the companies to initiate collaboration.

"Corporate channel is one of the best resources to extend and educate farmers and also enrich the farming community for better earning with per capita available resources. The company in agreement with MCF will be offering crop protection and introducing product range in the Karnataka market," he said.

The company is also planning to introduce technology, innovative farming solutions and new products through its other arms such ad Advanta and Golden Seeds.

Special status likely for Hyderabad-Karnataka region

Published: Friday, May 4, 2012, 10:48 IST
By DNA Correspondent | Place: Bangalore | Agency: DNA

The five-decade long struggle of over one crore people in the backward Hyderabad-Karnataka region, including Bidar, Gulbarga, Yadgir, Raichur and Koppal districts, for special status is likely to end happily as union home minister P Chidambaram assured that a bill to this effect would be introduced in the next parliament session.

The assurance came when an all-party delegation led by chief minister DV Sadananda Gowda met Chidambaram in New Delhi on Thursday. “The draft bill has already been sent to the prime minister’s office (PMO). The union cabinet will approve the bill after its evaluation by the PMO. Then it will be tabled in parliament for approval,” Chidambaram said.

The special status, once conferred through amendment to Article 371 of the constitution, will enable the state to provide special reservation for people from the Hyderabad-Karnataka region in jobs and higher education.

The state delegation also stressed the need for immediate release of at least 2TMC of water from the Koyna dam in Maharashtra to provide relief to people in northern Karnataka, which is reeling under a severe drought.
Water resources minister Basavaraj Bommai said Gowda spoke to his Maharashtra counterpart Prithviraj Chavan. On Wednesday, union agriculture minister Sharad Pawar too had asked Chavan to consider Karnataka’s request. Bommai expressed confidence that Maharashtra would release the water in two days.

CIVIC BODIES MISUSE RS. 700 CR. CM'S SPECIAL AID


Government orders probe

Bangalore, May 4- Adding to the long list of cases relating to misuse of funds released for developmental works by the government, it has now come to light that officials at seven City Corporations in the State have misused Rs. 700 crore released under Chief Minister’s special grants for developmental works in these Corporations.

Mysore, Davanagere, Bellary, Hubli-Dharwad, Mangalore, Belgaum and Gulbarga City Corporations are among the civic bodies where large scale irregularities are reported to have occurred in utilisation of funds released for developmental works.

The officials in these civic bodies are alleged to have made payments to fabricated bills on emergency works which had not been done at all.

Based on these allegations, the Karnataka Government has formed a high level committee consisting of top officials to probe into the matter and submit its report to the government.

It may be recalled that when Yeddyurappa was the Chief Minister he had released Rs. 100 cr. each to these civic bodies under CM's Special Aid to undertake emergency works in drinking water, roads, environment protection among other projects which has allegedly been misused by officials of these civic bodies by releasing payments on fabricated bills.

In view of large scale irregularities alleged to have occurred in Gulbarga City Corporation (GCC), the Govt. has ordered an enquiry against 14 persons including a KAS officer who served as the Commissioner at GCC.

The team has already examined files and works at the GCC and a detailed enquiry would be held into the irregularities allegedly committed in the seven civic bodies in the State, sources said.

Gulbarga to host MSMI investors' meet on May 28


MoUs worth Rs. 10,000 crore expected to be signed

The State government will host an investors' meet for micro-, small- and medium-scale industries (MSMI) in Gulbarga to explore the investment potential in Gulbarga Revenue division covering Gulbarga, Raichur, Bellary, Bidar, Yadgir and Koppal district on May 28.

Briefing presspersons after chairing a preliminary meeting with representatives of trade and industry in Gulbarga on Sunday, Minister for Small-Scale Industries Narasimha Nayak and Commissioner of Industries Maheshwara Rao said Chief Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda would inaugurate the investors' meet here on May 28. Minister for Major Industries Murugesh Nirani would also participate.

Mr. Nayak said he expected that at the meet, Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) would be signed with potential investors for investments worth Rs. 10,000 crore in Gulbarga.

He said the investors' meet was part of the Global Investors' Meet (GIM) to be held in Bangalore on June 7 and 8. While the GIM in Bangalore would deal with investment in major industries, the investors' meet held at the divisional headquarters would tap potential investment in MSMIs.

Mr. Nayak said the investors' meets for MSMI held in other parts of Karnataka including Mysore, Mangalore, Hubli-Dharwad and Belgaum were an unprecedented success, with the government signing MoUs worth several thousand crores.

At the investors' meet held in Mysore on May 4, MoUs worth more than Rs. 10,000 crore were signed; at the meet held in Hubli in March, MoUs worth Rs. 4,800 crore were signed, and at the meets held in Belgaum and Mangalore, MoU's worth Rs. 2,000 crore and Rs. 1,500 crore respectively were signed.

To a question, Mr Nayak said that investment opportunities in MSMIs was very high in the state and it had remained untapped all these years and the investors meet had helped the state to tap this potential and create more employment avenues with the opening of new industries in the tier II cities.

Mr. Nayak said Gulbarga had good potential in the MSMI sector, and the State government was confident of inviting investors from the neighbouring State of Andhra Pradesh to invest in the pharmaceutical and other industrial hubs in the Gulbarga region.

The government would set up a common effluent plant in Yadgir for the proposed pharmaceutical hub in Yadgir district.

In Gulbarga, a jewellery park was proposed to be set up along with the textile park and other industries.

http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-karnataka/article3392254.ece

Karnataka set to revise Textile policy soon

The Karnataka government is planning to revise its textile policy to attract more investments from the private sector. The state had announced its policy Suvarna Vastra Neethi in 2008 for a period of five years. However, the department of handloom and textiles is presently working to revise the policy and plans to announce it towards the end of 2012 or early 2013.

“We are actively studying similar policies in neighbouring states of Maharashtra, Gujarat and Tamil Nadu to incorporate some of the best features and announce a new industry-friendly textile policy,” Varthur Prakash, minister for textiles, said.

Speaking to investors at the road show for textile industry, organised as part of the Global Investors’ Meet (GIM) being held on June 7 and June 8, here, he said the government wants to attract investors in a big number. Already, investment proposals worth Rs 3,500 crore have been made ahead of the GIM 2012, he said.
Since the launch of the Suvarna Vasthra Neethi in 2008, the government has seen investment to the tune of Rs 2,700 crore in the textiles sector. During the road show held at Kolhapur, the department of textiles has received interest for investing Rs 2,200 crore, Rs 500 crore from Bhilwara and Rs 50 crore each at Surat and Coimbatore. The investors are interested in investing in the areas of spinning, weaving, processing and manufacturing of technical textiles, he said.

The textile and garment manufacturing industry is the second largest employment provider in the state after information technology industry. Some of the largest exporters including Gokaldas Images Pvt Ltd, Gokaldas Exports Ltd and Himatsingka Seide Ltd are based in Bangalore. The recent entrants into the textile sector in Karnataka include Bombay Rayon Fashions Ltd, S Kumars Nationwide Ltd, and Shahi Exports among others.

The Department of Handlooms and Textiles is also promoting apparel parks in Gulbarga, Dodballapur, Bijapur, Belgaum, Bellary and Shimoga. Prakash who invited entrepreneurs to consider investing in new projects in these parks.

Highlighting the advantages of investing in Karnataka, Commissioner for Textile Development and Director, Handlooms and Textiles, D A Venkatesh, said, “We have taken a holistic approach to develop the textiles and handlooms sector in the state. We are also encouraging cluster-based projects.”

These parks could house integrated textile production facilities such as spinning, weaving, processing, garmenting and other ancillary units enabling the industry in cost reduction, enhanced quality and overall competitiveness.

The South Indian Mills Association (SIMA) has come forward to set up a Textile Processing Park, on the lines of Tarapur and Cuddalore, in Karnataka. Presently, Dharwad, Shimoga and Dakshina Kannada districts are being considered for setting up the Park. In addition to this, Spinning and Weaving Parks are being set up in Dharwad, Belgaum, Bijapur and Chitradurga districts.


http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/companies/article3394417.ece