Karnataka keen on setting up SEZs

Karnataka keen on setting up SEZs
The Hindu.com

Udupi, Nov 1. (PTI): The Karnataka Government is keen on setting up Special Economic Zones in cities like Mysore, Mangalore, Shimoga, Hassan, Udupi, Karwar, Hubli, Dharwad, Gulburga, Bidar and Belgaum, State Heavy Industries Minister Katta Subramanya Naidu said here.

In Gulburga, Hubli, Dharwad, Bidar and Belgaum, the Government was already holding talks with private parties, he told reporters.

Efforts were being for creation of more SEZs in the State for promoting economic and industrial growth, he said.

Under the two-tier city development scheme, the Government has given more thrust on promoting information and bio technologies, tourism, gem and jewellery, garment and automobile sectors in the coastal districts of Udupi, Dakshina Kannada and Uttar Kannada, he said.

To make the licencing process hassle free, the Government had given several concessions in its new industrial policy.

He said the Ministry had given approval for 482 units with a total investment of Rs 9,650 crore through single window clearance system from February till October this year.

Another 59 units with a total investment of Rs 74,000 crore were approved by a high-level committee, he added.

Kumaraswamy on renaming spree - Hubli to become Hubballi

Kumaraswamy on renaming spree
Times Now.tv

Wednesday, November 01, 2006 06:50:43 am

Bengalooru: Today, as Karnataka celebrates the golden jubilee of its formation, the state's Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy, celebrates as The Times of India Bangalore edition's Guest Editor. An avid follower of news, Kumaraswamy will be contributing some headlines himself.

One that will definitely make it is the renaming of 9 major cities in Karnataka. Apart from capital Bangalore becoming Bengaluru, Gulbarga will be known as Kalburgi, Shimoga as Shivamogga, Belgaum to Belagavi and Hospet to Hosapete. Besides this, Chikmaglur will be renamed Chikka-magaluru, Hubli will be Hubballi, Mangalore will be Mangaluru and finally Mysore becomes Mysooru.

But the names will not come into effect right away as there are some governmental procedures that are yet to be completed.

Says the CM, "These names are being sent to the Central Government for their approval and only on their gazette notification would these names be finally changed."

When the proposal to change Bangalore's name was floated, there had been opposition from many fronts. But Kumaraswamy stuck to his plans, making it clear that keeping the Kannadiga votebank was high on his priority list.

(By Madhavdas Gopalakrishnan)