Tata Motors vendors' demands to be placed before state govt

Tata Motors vendors' demands to be placed before state govt

Published on Mon, Sep 29, 2008 at 20:40 , Source : CNBC-TV18

Here is a verbatim transcript of Swati Khandelwal’s comments on CNBC-TV18.

Tata Motors has asked its vendors for their demands in order to negotiate with the state government on their behalf, reports CNBC-TV18 quoting sources. The company is in the process of short listing states for Nano's mother plant. The car may be rolled out on time from the satellite plant, which is Pant Nagar. Tata Motors is trying to get as much compensation to recover the Rs 1,500 crore loss it incurred.

The vendors seek the same sops and benefits as may be provided to Tata Motors. The vendors got no sops in Singur, all the benefits were given only to Tata Motors. The vendors investment ranges anywhere from Rs 1 crore to Rs 20 crore odd. That investment will have some losses and they want to cover as much losses as they can and get the best deal out of the three states that they are looking at.

Menawhile, efforts to woo Tata Motors continue. The Chief Minister of Karnataka BS Yediyurappa, has written to Tata motors inviting them for further discussions on the possibility of the Nano plant in Dharwad. He has again made an offer of maximum support from the state government.

Tata Motors will respond on October 3.  Tata Motors has already surveyed two sites in Dharwad for the plant.

Farmers in Dharwad eagerly await the Nano plant

Farmers in Dharwad eagerly await the Nano plant

Gururaj Jamkhandi - Business Standard

Dharwad September 27, 2008, 0:07 IST

Some farmers in Singur might be vehemently opposed to the acquisition of land for Tata Motors’ Nano car factory. But in Dharwad, 425 km north of Bangalore, farmers couldn’t be more elated at the prospect of the car plant being relocated on their land.Most of them can’t wait to sell up in this arid region in the Mummigatti-Neeralakatti village Panchayat where agriculture has been a losing proposition.

The possibility of relocating the mother plant of the world's cheapest car with an annual capacity of 500,000 here was strengthened last week when a Tata Motors team led by Managing Director Ravi Kant met Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa in Bangalore.

The chief minister has reportedly offered to match the tax breaks and other benefits the West Bengal government had given Tata Motors plus 1,000 acres of land and other facilities. The Tata group is also likely to be welcomed in Dharwad because it has been at the centre of the virtuous cycle of industrialisation and job creation in the area.

In the early 1980s, the Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board (KIADB) had acquired 1,500 acres of land near Belur on the Pune-Bangalore national highway.

The initiative was taken by then Industries Minister S R Bommai after the Tata group had shown interest in setting up a factory in Dharwad. The state government allotted the company 680 acres of land, but the promised factory did not materialise for unspecified reasons.

It was only through the efforts of a later State Industries Minister, R V Deshpande, that the group set up two units — Tata Equipment Construction Company (Telcon) and Tata Marcopolo, a joint venture with a Brazilian company. Now, the state government is ready to offer Tata Motors another 1,000 acres of land near these two units.

In the 1980s, the state government had paid farmers Rs 12,000 per acre against a market price of Rs 1,200 per acre.

The Raitha Jagruti Samiti, an association of land losers that was formed, ensured that the compensation reached the farmers without the intervention of lawyers.

"We are happy with the compensation paid to us. The farmers will be happy to part with another 1,000 acres of land, provided the KIADB compensates them adequately,” said R S Patil, whose lands have been acquired.

Over the period the Tata group has provided employment to technically qualified people among land-loser families. Members of the families whose lands were not acquired were also accommodated.

“There is no question of opposing the establishment of a Tata unit here. All the farmers want is good compensation," Patil said.

The present market price of the land here is Rs 10 lakh to Rs 12 lakh per acre and farmers expect around Rs 15 lakh per acre.

Dharwad North MP Prahlad Joshi, who has evinced keen interest in getting the Tatas to Dharwad, said Tata will not face any Singur-like problems here.

"We will take the farmers into confidence while acquiring their lands. It will be a smooth affair because we are determined to safeguard the interest of farmers," he asserted.

The going may not, however, be so smooth. I B Ambannavar, who has lost a large chunk of land and will be losing some more in the event of further acquisition, said issues over compensation remain.

"The KIADB rules regarding land acquisition and payment of compensation are old-fashioned and redundant,” he said.

His chief complaint is that KIADB excludes pot-kharab zameen (that part of the land that is not cultivated) from compensation. “Farmers want this land to be taken into account,” Ambannavar said.

Meanwhile, the Socialist Unity Centre of India (SUCI) has opposed the development of industries on farmers' land. "Agricultural land should not be handed over to capitalists. It should not be converted into industrial belt," a recent statement from this outfit said.

But it has little support from actual land losers. "There are some people and organisations who oppose any project for the sake of opposing it and it has become their habit and business. It will not have any impact on farmers who are willing to part with their land," said Bheemanna Dindalkopp, a farmer from Neeralakatti village.

Indeed, the supporters of the Nano factory appear to outweigh the detractors. V P Linganagoudar, president of the Hubli chapter of the Karnataka Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said the chamber would be happy to welcome Tata's Nano manufacturing unit to Dharwad.

"It will certainly generate huge employment opportunities — both direct and indirect — and contribute to the overall growth,” Linganagoudar said, urging the chief minister to make all possible efforts to ensure that Tata Motors opts for Karnataka over other contenders like Gujarat, Uttarakhand and Maharashtra.

Homecoming for Gangubai

Homecoming for Gangubai

Deepa Ganesh - The Hindu

— Photo: Bhagya Prakash K.

WHERE IT ALL STARTED: Gangotri, the house where Gangubai Hangal spent her childhood, in Dharwad.

DHARWAD: “Today, Chief Minister Yeddyurappa will offer it to the nation. He will be arriving in a few minutes from now...,” came the announcement every few minutes.

In the narrow bylane of Yellapur Road in Shukravar Pet, Dharwad, where “Gangotri”, the home of Gangubai Hangal’s childhood is located, the atmosphere was charged with festivity on Tuesday as crowds gathered on rooftops, in narrow open drains and on compound walls.

They waited eagerly for B.S. Yeddyurappa to open Gangotri as a public museum, an opportunity to witness the homecoming of the grand old lady of the Kirana Gharana, the 96-year-old Gangubai Hangal, with full State honours.

With no sign of the VIPs, and standing under the blazing sky, the enthusiasm started melting and the crowd of adults and children began getting restive. Organisers looked worriedly at the fading flowers and sprinkled water every now and then. What played on with unabated passion was an old recording of Gangubai’s, Mia Ki Malhar khyal, a grand rendition of “Karim Naam Tero”.

At last, the drums resounded in the street corner and the long line of women with poornakumbhas perched on their heads, were seen entering the bylane. When the Chief Minister finally made it to the entrance of Gangotri, there was another roar from the crowd: “Someone bring ajji, where’s she…?” Loving students and her dear ones had to nearly lift her through the thronging crowd. Looking fondly at the Tulsi Katte at the entrance, she stepped in with the Chief Minister.

The museum with its old world charm is laid out beautifully, what with huge life-size portraits that tell a hundred stories. For Gangubai, it was a moment of fulfilment, transporting her back to days of warmth and the loving care of her mother Amba Bai. This was the house that was frequented by her friend Mansur and poet Bendre, and most importantly Ustad Abdul Karim Khan saab, who had predicted a bright future for the little Gangu.

“Are you happy amma?” the Chief Minister asked. “Yes,” she said with folded hands. The VIPs left and the crowd dispersed. What was left playing was her deeply contemplative rendition of Ahir Bhairav. For Shukravar Pet, it was a new lease of life, musically.

Gangubai recalls her childhood days

Gangubai recalls her childhood days

TIMES NEW NETWORK

Dharwad: ‘Gangotri’, the house at Shukravarpeth where Hindustani vocalist Gangubai Hangal was born and which has been converted into a museum-cum-music school, was dedicated to the nation on Tuesday. Chief minister B S Yeddyurappa inaugurated the renovated house in the presence of Gangubai herself.
   It was an emotional moment for the 96-year-old doyen as she recalled her childhood days, her mother Ambabai in particular. So much so, she said the “soil of Dharwad was responsible for her becoming a musician of rank’’.
   Gangubai thanked Yeddyurappa for converting her birthplace into a museum-cum music school by sanctioning Rs 25 lakh when he was deputy CM, and urged the government to help promote music. She wanted music to be introduced as an optional subject from the primary level in schools.
   Hailing her contribution to Hindustani music, the CM said Gangubai, other than achieving name and fame, has helped many musicians carve a niche in the world of music.
   Referring to the demand that a trust be formed in the name of vocalist Pandit Basavaraj Rajguru, the CM said he will issue a government order immediately and provide facilities to the trust.
   Veteran journalist Patil Puttappa urged the CM to ensure that Mysore Dasara become a festival of Karnataka and wanted due representation to be given to all regions of the state.

CM Yeddyurappa greets vocalist Gangubai Hangal at her ancestral house, which was converted into a museum-cum-music school, in Dharwad on Tuesday

Action plan for development of Hubli-Dharwad released

Action plan for development of Hubli-Dharwad released

Staff Correspondent - The Hindu

Government has sanctioned Rs. 100 crore for infrastructure development

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Rs. 55.5 crore earmarked for development of roads and construction of bridges

‘All facilities will be extended to Tata Motors as Government is keen on attracting investors’

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DHARWAD: Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa on Tuesday released a booklet on the action plan chalked out by the Hubli-Dharwad Municipal Corporation (HDMC) for utilising the Rs. 100-crore grant sanctioned by the State Government for infrastructure development in the twin cities.

Of the sanctioned amount, the Government has already allocated Rs. 50 crore in the budget for the current financial year.

In the action plan prepared by the HDMC, Rs. 55.5 crore has been earmarked for development of various roads in the twin cities, construction of bridges and development of a few roads that come under the purview of the Public Works Department.

A sum of Rs. 10.6 crore has been earmarked for beautification of junctions, development of recreation centres and bus-stands.

A sum of Rs. 2 crore has been set aside for the development of graveyards in Hubli and Dharwad, while Rs. 5.4 crore has been earmarked for development of roads in villages that have been brought under the HDMC. Considering the growing need of commercial establishments in the twin cities, the HDMC plans to build commercial complexes at a cost of Rs. 5 crore. A sum of Rs. 10 crore each has been set aside for development of tanks and implementation of a solid waste management scheme.

Final notification

Prior to the release of the action plan, the Chief Minister said that the State Government had already issued the final notification for land acquisition for the expansion of the Hubli airport.

To a query, he said steps were being taken to expedite the development of the Aryabhata Tech Park in Hubli.

Offer

Regarding the offer of land made to Tata Motors for its Nano project, the Chief Minister said all facilities would extended to the company as the Government was keen on attracting investors to tier-II cities in the State.

However, the Chief Minister was not forthcoming on whether the Government would go for fresh acquisition of land around Dharwad for the purpose.

Tata team on recce visit

Tata team on recce visit
23 Sep 2008, 0416 hrs IST,TNN

BANGALORE: Giving out yet another positive signal that they may zero in on Karnataka for the Nano project in case they decide to relocate from Singur in West Bengal, a Tata Motors delegation visited two locations near Dharwad, proposed by the industries department.
In the wake of an assurance by the state government that it was ready to offer the company 1,000 acres for the small car project , the Tata Motors team led by managing director G Ravi Kanth visited Gamanagatti and Tarihal last week. It is 7-8 km from Telco in Dharwad city, where the company has another plant.
"The state government is confident that Tatas will choose Dharwad as their destination to set up Nano plant in case they decide to relocate from Singur. As a good sign towards that, our officials along with the delegation have done a field visit last week,'' large and medium industries minister Murugesh R Nirani told reporters here on Monday.
Stating that everything was moving in a positive direction, the minister said he has sought an appointment with Tata group chairman Ratan Tata. The Tata Motors delegation met chief minister B S Yeddyurappa last week and sent clear signals to the West Bengal government that they are not averse to pulling out from Singur if the land transfer row is not resolved.
After the assurance that they would get 1,000 acres in Dharwad, Tatas had told the government that they will respond in a fortnight.
Karnataka has already allotted nearly 900 acres of land in Dharwad for Tata Motors where luxury buses, their components, light commercial vehicles and vans will be manufactured.

Rs. 2 lakh-crore investment expected in two years: Nirani

Rs. 2 lakh-crore investment expected in two years: Nirani

Special Correspondent

‘100 concrete proposals gathered from investors during recent foreign tour’

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Government seeks ‘early appointment’ with Ratan Tata

Tata Motors officials visited two sites near Dharwad

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Bangalore: Minister for Large and Medium Industries Murugesh Nirani has said that the State is likely to get over Rs. 2 lakh-crore investment in the next two years.

Addressing presspersons here on Monday, the Minister said nearly 100 “concrete proposals had been gathered from investors” during his recent business tour of the U.K. and the U.S.

Mr. Nirani said the Government had sought an “early appointment” with Ratan Tata, chairman of the Tata Group, “to take forward the negotiations on relocating the Nano project to Dharwad.

Principal Secretary (Industries and Commerce), V. Umesh, said Tata Motors officials visited two sites near Dharwad which could be offered by the State Government for the Nano project.

He said that while one plot was about 800 acres, the other was 1,000 acres.

He pointed out that the Government already had 500 acres in its possession, which could be made available for the Nano project immediately.

Consultants

Mr. Nirani said the Karnataka Government had hired the Infrastructural Leasing and Financial Services Ltd. (IL & FS) as consultants and adviser for conducting the Global Investors’ Meet in Bangalore on January 16 and 17, 2009.

The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) are partnering the Government to host the summit.

Mr. Nirani said Karnataka had “built up a substantial land bank” which was available for industrial use. “Farmers are not averse to selling their land, if the price is right,” he said.

The Minister said the Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB) had been entrusted with the task of building the land bank. The KIADB’s legal cell would help in the hastening of the acquisition process, he added.

Mr. Umesh said the Government had already notified about 30,000 acres for acquisition across the State. “Of this, about 5,000 to 6,000 acres is already with the Government.”

He said farmers would be paid compensation at the market rate, and wherever possible, jobs in units that would be set up on land they had parted with.

“Alternatively, farmers are free to organise themselves into cooperatives in order to negotiate a better price for their land,” he added.

Dry land, especially that which could support only a single crop during the year, could be used for industrial purposes without any serious repercussions, he said.

K'taka to introduce rural IT policy

K'taka to introduce rural IT policy

BS Reporter / Chennai/ Bangalore September 23, 2008, 0:51 IST

In first such initiative by any state government in the country, the government of Karnataka is in the preparatory phase of bringing out a ‘Rural IT policy’ to attract IT investment to the tier-II and tier-III cities in the state.While the basic framework of the proposed policy has already been laid, the government is involving the IT industry in seeking their suggestions and guidance in finalising the incentives to be given to IT companies in the proposed policy.

“We are in the process of coming up with a rural IT policy to specify the incentives for the industry to go to the tier-II and tier-III cities. The policy will come as a boost for the company in setting up operations in eight cities in the state, which have been identified by Nasscom as emerging IT destinations in the country,” Karnataka IT secretary Ashok Kumar Manoli said.

He said the state is ensuring to involve the IT industry in devising the policy, and the first phase of discussion has already been over.

“We are also talking to industry body Nasscom to take their suggestions,” the IT secretary said adding, this is extremely important for the IT sector to go to tier-II, tier-III cities when the whole industry is talking about cost reduction to remain competitive. The draft policy is expected to be ready in the next couple of months.

Earlier, Karnataka IT Minister Katta Subramanya Naidu had sought the assistance of Infosys Technologies’ chief mentor N R Narayana Murthy in developing the rural IT policy.

Even though Karnataka government has been promoting cities like Mysore, Mangalore, Hubli, the large chunk of the IT exports from the state is coming from state capital Bangalore, which houses most of the global and Indian top-tier IT firms.

However, the last two years have seen the IT exports from some of the emerging cities including Mysore and Hubli are growing over 90 per cent year on year.

Among the cities other than Bangalore which is contributing the state’s IT exports, Mysore tops the list followed by Mangalore.

The state also expects that the SEZs once become operational will work as a catalyst for the IT firms in setting up shop in smaller cities. Of the 41 SEZs that have been formally approved in the state with a proposed investment of Rs 20,000 crore, 30 will be in the IT and ITeS space.

Eighteen of the proposed IT SEZs will be in cities other than Bangalore, according to the state IT department.

Meanwhile, a huge IT park called ‘Aryabhatta Tech Park’ has been inaugurated in Hubli which is expected to be a big boost for companies planning to go to the city.

Tech park has been built up on an area of 56 acres, in public private partnership basis.

Ratan Tata likely to meet Yeddyurappa

Ratan Tata likely to meet Yeddyurappa

22 Sep, 2008, 1937 hrs IST, PTI (Economic Times)

BANGALORE: Tata Motor officials have promised Karnataka Chief Minister, who recently offered 1,000 acres of land to the corporate for setting up small car Nano production facility in the state, to arrange a meeting with group Chairman Ratan Tata.
"During the discussions the Tata Motors officials had had with the Chief Minister on September 18, an assurance to this effect was given," State Industries Minister Murugesh Nirani told reporters here today.
Tata Motors Managing Director Ravi Kant had called on Chief Minister Y S Yeddyurappa last week. The State promised all incentives and facilities if the company decided to relocate its Nano car project from Singur, where it has suspended work following protests led by Opposition party Trinamool Congress.
The state cabinet has already promised 1,000 acres of land and other facilities to the Tatas, stepping up efforts to lure the project to the state over which a few other states have also been vying and West Bengal making efforts to retain it.
Tata Motors has manufacturing plants in Dharwad from where its rolls out buses and tractors.
Official sources said the state has already conducted a tour for the Tata company officials in Dharwad so that they get first hand knowledge about the extent of land availability for the project.
Besides Karnataka, other states-- Punjab, Maharashtra, Uttarakhand, Orissa, Gujarat-- too have been wooing the Tata Group for the Nano project.

 

Gangubai’s house now Gangotri museum

Gangubai’s house now Gangotri museum

Manu Aiyappa | TNN

Gangubai Hangal

Dharwad: Tuesday will go down as a Red Letter Day in the annals of Indian classical music, when chief minister B S Yeddyurappa dedicates ‘Gangotri’ —- the birthplace-turned-museum of renowned Hindustani classical vocalist Gangubai Hangal, to the nation. According to the organizers, it is the first of its kind in the country being dedicated to a “living legend”.
   The museum (birthplace) of Gangubai Hangal is located in Shukravarpet of Dharwad. For years, whenever she visited Dharwad, Gangubai made it a point to visit Shukravarpet, just to have a glimpse of the house where she was born and brought up.
   Moved by her sentiments, the state government decided to acquire the property, which Gangubai had sold to one Krishnaji Venkatacharya Kittur in 1957. Krishnaji had later sold it to Dasoi Kulkarni in 1963.
   Dasoi Kulkarni, who had a son and four daughters, died in 1989.
   The district administration took up the issue with the legal heirs of the property to acquire the house and they consented to sell it to the government for Rs 10 lakh.
   Another Rs 15 lakh was needed, as per an estimate for renovating the old house which was almost in ruins.
   Yeddyurappa, when deputy CM in the erstwhile coalition government led by Kumaraswamy, sanctioned Rs 25 lakh to acquire the house when the proposal was put before him.
   Later, the district authorities with technical assistance from the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) took up renovation and converted it into a heritage building.
   Experts from R V College of Engineering, Bangalore, were roped in for technical inputs on the renovation, based on which Nirmiti Kendra, Dharwad, began the work. “We made every effort to retain the original look of the house, although a part of it had collapsed. Even the wooden pillars have been retained and some weak ones were replaced with the same wood,” said Kendra members.
   The authorities now plan to start a music school as per the wishes of the music legend. She had also suggested that one of the rooms in her ancestral house be dedicated exclusively to the teaching of music.
   The main hall and two rooms have rare photographs and books related to music and musicians, promising to be a part of the itinerary of tourists to Dharwad.

Will Nano drive to Dharwad?

Will Nano drive to Dharwad?

Published on Sat, Sep 20, 2008 at 17:41 , Source : CNBC-TV18

As the Tata's get a green signal from the Karnataka Chief Minister Y S Yediyurappa to set up the Nano plant in Dharwad, the question arises how feasible is it for the Tata's to actually make the shift?

There is a Telcon plant in Dharwad owned by the Tatas and soon if things go the Karnataka government's way then the Nano could be its new neighbour. Chief Minister Yediyurappa has sent Tata Motors an open invitation to set up a 1000 acre plant

BS Yediyurappa, Chief Minister, Karnataka said, "I met Tata Motor's executives and their Dhadwad unit will be operational within a month. I offered them to shift to Dharwad if they want to from WestBengal and I offered them all assistance. They are very receptive. Now the decision is left to them."

With CM Yediyurappa going all out to make sure that the Tata's get their plant here in Dharwad it's a win win situation for both. The Tata's get a plant for the Nano and for Yediyurappa they get investment in Northern Karnataka.

But what makes the Dharwad plant an attractive option for Tatas? Dharwad is close to Pune, the manufacturing headquarter of Tata's. The presence of Tata's exisiting plant for its marco polo bus unit is another plus point. Vendor parks for Tata's commercial vehicles have set up base there plus vendors of Toyota in Bangalore and Tamil Nadu are close by. Also, South India constitutes almost 30% of the passenger car market.

But, there is flip side to this story. The Tata's will have to start from scratch in Dharwad as most of the technology used in the Marcopolo plant cannot be used to manufacture the Nano. Regular power supply in Northern Karnataka is a problem. Finally, the additional investments in Dharwad may push the price beyond Rs 1 lakh.

The final answer on whether or not the Nano will have a made in Karnataka tag will be known in the next two months.

Confusion over Karnataka’s offer

Confusion over Karnataka’s offer

Special Correspondent - The Hindu

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Company must use land immediately: Minister

1,000 acres needed in a contiguous

parcel, says Ravi Kant

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Dharwad: There is some confusion about whether the Karnataka government has offered a fresh allocation of 1,000 acres for locating its Nano small car project in Dharwad. This is significant because Tata Motors already has more than 660 acres of unutilised land in the Belur-Dharwad area near Dharwad town.

Minister for Industries and Commerce Murugesh Nirani told The Hindu that the “offer is at an initial stage.”

“The government would allot whatever land the Tatas required for the project if the company used it properly.” He clarified that “the company would have to use the land immediately without keeping it idle.”

Mr. Nirani said: “The company has not yet made up its mind and it has to convince us about the quantum of land it actually needs.” He said the land already allotted to Tata Motors was “not excess land.” “They need it for their future expansion,” he explained.

Familiar terrain

For Tata Motors Dharwad is not unfamiliar terrain. Tata Motors, through its subsidiaries and joint ventures, already possesses considerable real estate in and near the town. In 1996 Telco (as Tata Motors was known then) was allotted 647 acres of land in the Belur Industrial Area near Dharwad.

Of this, 119 acres was transferred to Telco Construction Equipment Company (Telcon), which manufactures earth-moving equipment. Telcon is a joint venture between Tata Motors and Hitachi Construction Equipment Company, in which Tata Motors holds a 60 per cent stake.

After Tata Motors entered into a joint venture with the Brazilian bus maker, Marcopolo, in 2006, it transferred another 123.45 acres to the joint venture company. This bus-building facility is set to go on stream next month. Tata Motors also transferred 18 acres to TML Distribution Company Ltd. (TMDCL), a fully owned subsidiary.

This means that in the Belur Industrial area Tata Motors has utilised only 283.45 acres, leaving 353.55 acres unutilised.

In addition, it was allotted 300 acres of land in the Dharwad Growth Centre Industrial Area last year.

Sources in the Industries Department told The Hindu that the company has 663.55 acres of surplus land in the area.

The point is whether the 1,000 acre offer reportedly mentioned by Tata Motors Chairman Ravi Kant in Bangalore on Thursday includes this “surplus.”

Rural Development Minister Shobha Karandlaje had, in late August said the State government was willing to allot 50 acres to Tata Motors, which, in addition to the 900 acres it already possesses, would be enough for the Nano project.

This would suggest that there is a wide variation between what the State government had in mind when it made its offer to the Tatas and what the Tatas expected.

Mr. Ravi Kant had pointed out that the company requires 1,000 acres in a contiguous parcel for the Nano project, so that it can accommodate its vendor units within the same complex. After the recent agitation in Singur, the company had rejected the West Bengal government’s offer of additional land for what it would surrender to farmers from within its allotted portion. The company had said it would require the land to be contiguous.

How will the farmers react?

How will the farmers react?

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Bangalore: Could there be a Singur-like problem between the Karnataka government and Dharwad farmers on the purchase of 1,000 acres for the Tatas? A senior government official said preliminary reports on land acquisition in the area have shown that farmers will not object to selling their land.
   “The feedback is that people in Dharwad are willing to sell their land in the hope of getting better jobs from a project like a car manufacturing facility,” the official said.
   “But it will be an uphill task for the government to give land around Bangalore as the IT city is already very populated,” he said. “North Karnataka has been starved of investment for a long time and any investment will be welcomed by the people,” he explained.
   S Viswanathan, chairman of the Confederation of Indian Industry, Karnataka, welcomed the move to give land in Dharwad and said the organization has always told the government to make investments equally in all districts.
   He too felt Dharwad will not face the kind of problem Singur in West Bengal has faced. “It is true that land acquisition is difficult, but it is not an impossible task,” he said.
   Dharwad is also seen as a good fit for Tata Motors. The company is familiar with the area and the people as it has a commercial vehicle manufacturing facility there. It is also in the process of setting up a bus manufacturing unit soon.
   Dharwad is also close to Pune — a city known as the base of Tata Motors.

Murugesh Nirani plans to meet Ratan Tata

Murugesh Nirani plans to meet Ratan Tata

Chief minister B S Yeddyurappa with Tata Motors MD Ravi Kant (left) in Bangalore on Thursday

Bangalore: Even before Ratan Tata decided to relocate the Nano car plant from Singur in West Bengal, the Karnataka government offered Tata Motors 1,000 acres to set up a Nano unit in Dharwad, 450 km from Bangalore.
   The government was quick to sought an appointment with Tata. Large and medium industries minister Murugesh R Nirani sent a letter to Tata asking for more investment in Karnataka, especially setting up of the Nano car plant here.

Dear Ratan Tataji
Greetings from the Government of Karnataka. I would like to draw your kind attention towards your long standing relationship with Karnataka. The state government has been very supportive of projects of Tata Engineering and Locomotive Co Ltd at Dharwad, which was approved during 1990-97. We have also supported your recent project to establish manufacturing facilities for luxury buses, small buses and light commercial vehicles at Dharwad with an investment of Rs 2,734 crore, which was approved on September 3, 2007. Similarly, the iron and steel project of Tata Metalics Ltd at Haveri with an investment of Rs 984 crore was approved on March 17, 2008.
   We are happy that Tata is taking up projects in North Karnataka in a big way and many youths of that area benefit by them. Your projects will contribute to economic growth of the region.
   In this connection, we request you to take up some more projects in North Karnataka. We will be very happy to extend our wholehearted support to your projects. In this regard, I would like to meet you either in Mumbai or in Bangalore to exchange views on the industrial scenario in India as well as in Karnataka, since I value your views very much.
Yours sincerely

Murugesh R Nirani

LAST STOP? Karnataka ready to host Nano facility

LAST STOP? Karnataka ready to host Nano facility

Tata Motors Holds Talks With Yeddyurappa Govt; Dharwad Back In Focus

Bureau BANGALORE - Economic Times

   TATA Motors and the Karnataka government on Thursday made the opening moves in a gambit which could result in the beleaguered automaker moving its factory making the world’s cheapest car from West Bengal to the southern state. While chief minister BS Yeddyurappa promised the government’s full backing, Tata Motors managing director Ravi Kant said the company is looking for alternatives to the Singur site where work on its Nano small car project has stalled because of protests over land acquisition.
   “We are watching the situation carefully and are actively looking at alternatives. If we have to relocate, we will require about 1000 acre as it (Nano) is an integrated project. He (Mr Yeddyurappa) said that he will give us all support, assistance and required incentives,” Mr Kant told reporters after meeting the chief minister. Dharwad in the northern part of the state — an initial contender for the Nano factory before it lost out to Singur — is seen as the most likely location if a deal is struck.
   The Tata group’s construction equipment making unit Tata Telcon possesses some 300 acre in the city and the Tata-Marco Polo bus-making joint venture an additional 600 acre. “They will naturally need land and I have told them that we will provide assistance,” Mr Yeddyurappa said, referring to the possibility of the Rs 1-lakh car being produced in the state. “Karnataka has offered 1000 acres and all incentives for setting up the Nano plant in the state,” Tata Motors said in a statement through its public relations agency.
   Tata Motors suspended work in Singur on September 2 citing concerns about the safety of its employees. Agitators backed by the Trinamool Congress party have been demanding that the company return about 400 acre out of the 1,000 acre allotted for the project. The agitators say that land was acquired forcibly and adequate compensation was not paid. The Tatas say returning the land would make the project unviable and talks between the West Bengal government and the Trinamool Congress have not yielded a breakthrough.
   Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh have said they are interested in hosting the Nano factory.
   Despite the promise of backing by Karnataka, the collapse about a decade ago of a high-profile airport project in Bangalore may make the Tatas wary. After being bogged down by years of delay, a consortium led by Tata Industries in 1998 pulled out of a venture to build an international airport in the city.

Tata & Marco Polo to roll out buses in Oct

The Tatas’ joint venture with Marco Polo will roll out its first bus next month and Karnataka is expected to be the first buyer of vehicles produced at the unit. “We have asked them to give us five buses on a trial basis,” Mr Yeddyurappa said. Swedish company Volvo makes buses at a factory on the outskirts of Bangalore and has the government as a major buyer.

Karnataka may not be best for Nano

Karnataka may not be best for Nano - DHARWAD

Abhirr VP and Varun Kumar / CNN-IBN

Published on Thu, Sep 18, 2008 at 21:42,

MADE IN KARNATAKA? Karnataka joins the list of states who have invited Tatas to a open the Nano plant.

Bangalore The Karnataka government on Thursday offered a 1000 acres of land to Tata motors to set up a plant in Dharwad. Although it may look like a win win situation for both - Tata Motors as well as the Karnataka govt, there are drawbacks which Tatas would have to face if they decide to open the Tata Nano plant in Dharwad.

The Tatas own a Telcon Plant in Dharwad and if things go the Karnataka govt's way then the Nano could be its new neighbor. Chief minister Yeddyurappa sent Tata motors an open invitation to set up a 1000 acre plant.

"I just met Tata Motor's executives and their Dharwad unit will be operational within a month. I've offered them to shift to Dharwad if they want to from West Bengal and I offered them all assistance. Now the decision is left to them," said Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa.

With Yediyurappa going all out to make sure that the Tata's get their plant in Dharwad, it seems to be a win win situation for both. The Tata's get a plant for the Nano and for Yediyurappa they get investment in northern Karnataka.

What makes the Dharwad plant an attractive option for Tatas?

• Dharwad is close to Pune which is the manufacturing headquarter of Tatas.
• The presence of Tata's existing plant for its Marco polo bus unit is another plus point.
• Vendor parks for Tata's commercial vehicles have set up base in Dharwad. Also vendors of Toyota in Bangalore and Tamil Nadu are close by.
• South India constitutes almost 30 per cent of the passenger car market.

However, there are drawbacks which the Tatas will have to consider as well.

• The Tatas will have to start from scratch in Dharwad as most of the technology used in the Marco polo plant cannot be used to manufacture the Nano.
• Regular power supply in Northern Karnataka is a problem.
• Finally the additional investments in Dharwad may push the Nano USP which is it's price beyond Rs1 lakh.
• The final answer on whether or not the Nano will be produced in Karnataka, will be known in the next two months.

Tatas would carefully have to weigh their options before deciding to open the Tata Nano plant in Dharwad.

Karnataka offers 1000 acres land for Nano

Karnataka offers 1000 acres land for Nano

CNN-IBN

Published on Thu, Sep 18, 2008 at 12:13

WELCOME TO TATA: Chief Minister Yedyurappa briefs the media on his talks with Tata Motors officials.

Bangalore/ New Delhi: The Karnataka government has offered 1000 acres for the Nano car project and "incentives", Tata Motors Managing Director Ravi Kant said on Thursday.

Kant announced this after meeting Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yedyurappa in Bangalore on Thursday morning. The Karnataka government has offered land for the Nano factory in the north Karnataka district of Dharwad.

The Tata group already has a 800-acre manufacturing unit at Belur on the outskirts of Dharwad city where it makes the low-floor Marco Polo buses.

The twin cities of Hubli-Dharwad have an all-season airport, which has direct flights to Bangalore and Mumbai and they are near ports. There are at least 20 engineering colleges in and around Dharwad.

Speaking to CNN-IBN, Yedyurappa said Tata Motors were “very receptive” to his suggestion that they manufacture then Nano in Dharwad. “I told Tatas to come to Dharwad. Hopefully they will take a decision in two months,” he said.

Yedyurappa said he had promised the company there would be no dharnas or violent protests against them, as the state’s people want an industrial revolution.

The company was to set up a factory to manufacture the Nano in Singur, West Bengal, but suspended work at the plant on September 2 saying it feared the security of its employees who were manhandled and threatened by protesters opposed to 'forcible acquisition of farmland' for the project.

The talks between the Karnataka government and Tata Motors were held after the West Bengal government clearly told Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday that it cannot give more land from the factory area to farmers.

Mamata has threatened a fresh agitation if the government does not agree to return the 300 acres inside the Nano plant. The Bengal government says it can allot 70 acres.

Mamata is expected to announce her future course of action after meeting West Bengal Governor Gopal Krishna Gandhi on Friday.

Kant said, "We have not taken any decision (on relocating from Singur). We will consult our chairman Ratan Tata."

(With inputs from IANS)

Tata team to meet CM today over Nano project

Tata team to meet CM today over Nano project

THE PEOPLE’S CAR

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Bangalore: The state government has offered a red carpet welcome to the Tatas for their Nano project.
    A team from Tata company will meet chief minister B S Yeddyurappa on Thursday to discuss on possibility of setting up a Nano car manufacturing unit in the state.
    Expressing confidence that the government will succeed in impressing the Tatas to set up a unit here, large and medium industries minister Murugesh R Nirani told TOI that a team led by Ravi Kant, MD, Tata Motors Ltd, will be meeting the CM.
    Ever since the Nano car project is hanging fire at Singur in West Bengal due to political unrest, Karnataka evinced interest in inviting the Tatas to set up the car’s manufacturing unit in the state. The move was also passed in the cabinet recently, where the government announced that it would welcome the Tatas and offer them land, besides all possible help.
    The Tatas have 900 acres of land at Belur industrial area in Dharwad (North Karnataka), 450 km from Bangalore, where they have established two projects — Telco Construction Equipment Company (Telcon), the joint venture between Tata Group and Hitachi of Japan; and a proposed a car-manufacturing unit by Tata Motors.
    Nirani said: “We are ready to offer them all possible help, if they decide to come here. They already have 900 acres of land and we are willing to offer them more if required

EMC inks education agreement with B.V. Bhoomaraddi College

EMC inks education agreement with B.V. Bhoomaraddi College

Published on Wed, Sep 17 at 12:50 ,

Source : Moneycontrol.com

EMC, the world leader in Information Infrastructure Solutions, today announced the signing of an agreement, under the EMC Academic Alliance Program, between B.V. Bhoomaraddi College of Engineering & Technology (BVBCET) in Hubli, Karnataka, and its subsidiary, EMC (Benelux) B.V. SARL. Under this program, B.V. Bhoomaraddi College of Engineering & Technology, Karnataka will offer a course in Information Storage and Management technology to its students. The course is being offered to the students since July 2008. So far, EMC has forged alliances with over 100 education institutions in India reaching out to 5000 plus students.

As part of the EAA, B.V. Bhoomaraddi College of Engineering & Technology, Karnataka  will receive vendor agnostic curriculum, course content, learning materials, faculty trainings and software simulators developed by EMC, to provide training to their students. EMC will also provide program support in terms of examination papers and sample assignments. 

Commenting on the significance of the association, Dr. Ashok S. Shettar, B.V. Bhoomaraddi College of Engineering & Technology, Karnataka, said, “There is a paradigm shift of power from carrier to content and the key issue to be recognized is the importance of putting the information back to center stage. Information has to be organized and consolidated so that organizations can get maximum value out of it. We are happy to partner with the world leader in information infrastructure. The agreement with EMC will enable our students to learn about information management and storage, one of the most significant and also the fastest growing segments within the IT industry.”

“We are confident that the partnership with EMC will help us produce industry ready graduates,” he further added.

The EMC Academic Alliance program is an initiative by EMC to work with the leading educational institutions around the world to address the emerging knowledge gap in storage technologies and developing a resource pool of skilled, certified and industry ready storage professionals. This is the only program in the industry which offers a vendor neutral, product agnostic storage technology curriculum to the students. Some of the EMC Academies include NMAM Institute of Technology, Karnataka, R V College of Engineering, IIIT Bangalore, National Institute of Engineering - Mysore and Manipal Institute of Technology.

Elaborating on the momentum of EAA in India Alok Ohrie, President EMC India & SAARC said, “Organizations today are struggling to manage the sheer volume and complexity of digital information and are constantly looking for Information storage & management skilled professionals to manage their information infrastructure. In this context, Information management and storage has emerged as a promising career option. At EMC, we are committed to empower students with the requisite skills that will enable them to succeed in this domain.”

“Since its inception, our education program has evoked an overwhelming response in India. We have already tied up with over 100 leading education institutions. We are extremely proud to partner with BVBCET, a reputed technical institute,” he added.

On the successful completion of the EMC Academic Alliance Program, students will receive a certificate from B.V. Bhoomaraddi College of Engineering & Technology, Karnataka and EMC acknowledging the completion of the course. These students will be better prepared to clear the EMC Associate Storage Technologist Examination, one of the world’s most recognized information storage and management certification.

Tatas seek more tax sops

Tatas seek more tax sops

Gururaj Jamkhandi / Chennai/ Dharwad September 16, 2008, 3:26 IST

Even as the state government is making efforts to attract Tata Motors’ Nano car manufacturing unit from Singur in West Bengal to Dharwad, the Tatas are gearing up to commence functioning of their second unit — Tata Marcopolo — in the next couple of months.

Telcon, the earth-moving equipment maker which is a Tata group firm, has now sought the mega status and the benefits that accompany the status from April 2008.

The state government had given it an exemption from sales tax (both central and local) for a period of nine years from the date of commencement of production. This incentive was limited to 100 per cent of fixed asset deployed in the project.

However, the company said it could not enjoy the benefits due to a change in the central sales tax from 2 per cent to 10 per cent which reduced the sales by 20 per cent of the produce. The plant would have been eligible for the mega status if it invested Rs 100 crore or more in fixed assets by December 2002. Telcon, in a memorandum to Murugesh Nirani, minister for major and medium industries, said it could not reach the target of investing Rs 100 crore before 2002 due to the lack of infrastructure and no fillip from the state government.

It said the major policy initiatives in infrastructure came after 2002. The company has urged the government to issue an order to start the incentive again from April 1, 2008, or a suitable date as per the industrial policy or tax laws for the balance investments by way of refunding the sales tax/VAT paid.

Regarding Karnataka’s invitation to Tatas to set up the Nano car unit in Dharwad, top executives of Tatas are scheduled to have a meeting with chief minister Yeddyurappa in Bangalore on Thursday.

The unit is coming up on Garag road, 10 km from Dharwad, and work on the plant is nearing completion. It may be recalled that Tata Motors had announced a joint venture with Marcopolo, the Brazil-based global leader in body building and coaches, in May 2006.

Tata Motors had announced forming a 51:49 joint venture company with Marcopolo SA last year for the manufacture and assembly of fully-built luxury buses and coaches in India. It was scouting for land for what according to a senior Tata executive, would be amongst the “biggest bus plants in the world” and the state government sanctioned the required land in Neeralakatti panchayat limits.

Tatas have two units — Tata Motors Limited and Telcon — in Belur. Telcon, the company’s earth moving equipment subsidiary and a 60:40 partnership with Hitachi Construction Machinery Company, Japan, manufactures construction equipment. The state government had extended several fiscal benefits.

The plant commenced production in February 2001 and Tatas have till August 2008 invested Rs 141 crore in capital goods in Telcon’s Dharwad plant. Sources said the investment is expected to reach Rs 192 crore by March 2012.

Murugesh Nirani visited the plants on Monday and promised company representatives that the state government was keen to encourage the industrial growth and the demands would be considered.

Raising resources through land auctions

Raising resources through land auctions

The BJP Government's decision to set up Karnataka Public Lands Corporation will go a long way in retrieving and safeguarding valuable Government land, especially in and around Bangalore.

Hailed as the first of its kind in the country, the Corporation has been tasked to raise Rs 3,000 crore in the current financial year by auctioning the retrieved land. The money will be utilised for implementing infrastructure projects in major cities, including Bangalore, as has been announced in 2008-09 budget.
Over 30,000 acre of Government land has been encroached upon in Bangalore urban district alone, as per the then joint House committee that probed land encroachment. The encroached land belongs to various Government departments including Revenue, Urban Development, Muzarai, Forest and others. The value of the encroached land runs into several thousand crores of rupees.
Retrieving these properties from powerful land sharks is not an easy task. And the B S Yeddyurappa Government was apparently aware of it. So, it has decided to keep politics away from the Corporation -- it has been decided to register the corporation under Indian Companies’ Act. The Corporation will be headed by Principal Secretary, Revenue department.

Presently, the Revenue department officials are conducting land recovery operations with the help of local police. Plans are on the cards to set up a separate task force of the Corporation for this purpose.
To ensure that the recovered land is protected, the Corporation will take up fencing.
Effective functioning of the Corporation will mainly benefit people living in urban areas, especially Bangalore, as the money earned through land auction will be utilised for implementing infrastructure projects that are announced in the budget.
It may be building flyovers and underpasses or providing basic amenities to people in newly-added areas of BBMP, construction of international airport in Hubli, building airstrips at all district headquarters, all these mega projects will be funded using the money raised by the Corporation by auctioning the land. The Chief Minister has announced several projects worth Rs 1,800 crore for Bangalore alone in the budget.
The Revenue department has already swung into action to achieve its target -- to raise Rs 3,000 crore. It commenced land auction recently.

Promises kept and broken

Promises kept and broken
6 Sep 2008, 0522 hrs IST, Rishikesh Bahadur Desai,TNN

BANGALORE: The first BJP government in the South came to power with a lot of promises that aimed at making Karnataka the number one state in the country . Most of them found a place in chief minister B S Yeddyurappa's budget. In his first meeting with officers, he said the implementation of these promises would begin in the first 100 days. However , only a few promises have been translated into action.
Yeddyurappa promised a 10-point agenda for Karnataka's development, which would achieve a 9% growth in the next five years. This included massive investments in the service sector, steady growth of infrastructure and doubling agriculture growth to 4% from the present 2%. However, this does not seem easy as growth rate remains at 7% and farm sector growth rate refuses to move upwards from 2%.
The government has not kept pace with people's expectations in three broader areas - implementing programmes and schemes, forming policies and constituting authorities and commissions.
SCHEMES THAT FAILED TO TAKE OFF
"Tayi Bhagya' ' - an integrated healthcare scheme in which the government foots the bills of treatment of BPL mothers in government and private hospitals. It was to start in six north Karnataka districts and Chamarajanagar where maternal mortality rate is high. However, hospitals in these districts have not started offering the benefits.
"Samruddha Hasiru Grama Yojane'' - afforestation programme through community participation. Forest officials say they have not decided whether it should be done through the panchayats or NGOs.
"Mahatma Gandhi Govu Aadharitha Grama Udyoga' ' - to help farmers get remunerative prices for cow dung and urine. The department of animal husbandry is yet to prepare a draft plan for the programme . A special scheme to conserve and develop places from where rivers originate - no details announced, not even the name of the scheme.
POPULIST POLICIES
Creating 10 lakh jobs over five years, including one lakh this year. The government has neither shown progress on this front nor detailed how it will be achieved.
OMISSIONS AND COMMISSIONS
The government promised the setting up of 10 commissions but only half have been formed till now. Of these, four were formed this week.
The government announced appointment of members and chairmen to the Karnataka 2020 blueprint vision group, the agriculture commission, the knowledge commission, Western Ghats conservation task force and the committee to survey waqf properties. However, the government is yet to constitute the Karnataka Maritime Board, State Child Development Academy, Karnataka Public Lands Corporation and Karnataka State Skills Commission and the State Water Regulatory Board.
POLICIES ON PAPER
The budget promised formation of the industry, textile and youth policies. None of them has been formed till now.
BANGALORE DEVELOPMENT
Raising Rs 36,000 crore for Bangalore development over five years and spending Rs 1,800 crore on infrastructure development in the first year are Yeddyurappa's biggest promises for the capital.
The government has made a beginning by setting up the Agenda for Bangalore Infrastructure Development task force. But there is very little evidence to show it is raising resources or taking up construction of new traffic-friendly structures like flyovers, underpasses or grade separators. Many of the old projects remain incomplete.
TIER-TWO CITIES
The grand plans to develop other cities and decongest Bangalore seemed to have been shelved. The CM promised that the urban local bodies of Mysore, Mangalore, Belgaum, Hubli-Dharwad , Davanagere, Bellary and Gulbarga would get Rs 100 crore per year for two years. This would help them improve civic amenities, invite investments and decongest Bangalore . This has not happened.
ONLY IDEAS
Web-based redressal of public grievances. This would help villagers file complaints through kiosks in panchayats or cyber cafes and track the movement of the file. This has not started.
Increasing the number of Bangalore-One centres is happening in phases. But plans of having similar centres in Hubli-Dharwad , Gulbarga, Belgaum, Bellary, Shimoga, Mysore and Mangalore may have to wait.
Development of Kannada software that helps faster application of e-governance tools is yet to happen. The budget allocation of Rs 1 crore is yet to be used.

'Karnataka will be made most progressive & investor-friendly'

'Karnataka will be made most progressive & investor-friendly'
Sunday, 09.07.2008, 10:07pm (GMT-7)

  India Post News Service

CHICAGO: Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa said here that he was set to make Karnataka the most modern and progressive State in the Indian Union and that a new industrial policy friendlier to investors is on anvil.In a talk to this paper, he conceded that terrorist activities that plague many states in India are also a threat to his state and that he had taken up the matter with the Indian Prime Minister and Home Minister after recent blasts.
He said that PM Manmohan Singh assured him that an increased vigilance and upgrading the training to the police would be provided by the Center. "We are all concerned about these activities and we need to get united to nip them in the bud," he said.CM also said that his government was keen to increase a cleaner supply of energy to the industries in the state and one of the means was to have a bigger generation of power thru windmills.
"Currently we produce 5000 MW through the use of wind mills and we would like to increase it to 10,000 MW. My Atlanta visit is for more exploration in this direction," he said.CM and members of his delegation were accorded reception by Indian Consul General Ashok Kumar Attri at the Consulate office in Chicago Downtown. Welcoming the delegation, Attri listed the tasks that his office handled after he took over and observed that despite a newer team of officials the things went smoothly and quite efficiently.
He paid tribute to his staff for hard work and sincerity. He also mentioned about the co-operation between the State of Karnataka and the State of Illinois and observed that there was greater scope for a further cementing of bonds between the two. He praised the leadership quality of the new CM and welcomed his team to Chicago.Karnataka CM in his brief address outlined some of the salient features of Karnataka economy and pitched for greater flow of investment funds.
He talked about One Window clearance for NRI and overseas investors and listed areas where overseas investment was more welcome. He said that the voters in Karnataka have mandated BJP government to power and it is "up to us to prove our mettle by rising to their expectations and trust."Indians firstSurendra Ullal adds: Addressing a meeting organized by Friends of India Society at Holiday Inn Rolling Meadows, a suburb of Chicago, Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa said, "I am happy to be here to meet Karnataka Diaspora and Indian Americans.
I am indeed touched by the love and affection shown to me by all of you." Translating his sentiments in Kannada he said, 'I am overwhelmed and I am grateful to you all. We are Indians first and then Kannadigas, or any other linguistic groups."Referring to the speech of Bhishma Agnihotri, former Ambassador atLarge during the Vajpayee Administration, about many serious ills like terrorism, and communal violence in India, he said that Karnataka also had taken steps along with the Central Government to strengthen its police forces and is continuing to monitor the matter closely to prepare for any eventuality.
He was in Chicago to attend the World Convention of Kannadigas in Rosemont. First BJP Chief Minister of Karnataka, Yediyurappa has been a prominent leader of the party who rose from the position of a volunteer of the Sangha to this exalted position of Chief Minister on May 30 this year.He urged all Indians and Indian Americans in US to keep their love for the land of their ancestors alive and contribute to the welfare of India and her people.
"This is an opportunity for me to invite those entrepreneurs and businessmen here to invest in Karnataka. We have set up an NRI cell there to develop closer business relations between the State of Karnataka and the US, especially the State of Illinois," he said in a fervent appeal."Our state has a strong and well established administrative structure and resources to establish key industrial and technical ventures. We have taken several industrial and technical initiatives. "Karnataka," he said "was a tech-savvy State. Bangalore its capital was a pre-eminent center of IT, auto-tech, bio-technology and many knowledge based industries.
"He was honest and forthright to admit that his government, which is the first ever BJP government in the Karnataka, was determined to take steps to make Karnataka the top industrialized State in the country. Its capital Bangalore, he told the audience exuding pride, "was among the foremost centers of Information Technology not only in the country, but in the whole world," which he declared he would keep up and promote further. He assured that "his government will make all efforts to make Karnataka a model state," amid applause.
He further stated that the state proposed to develop separate industrial zones for steel, cement, auto, ready made garment and other important sectors of economy to benefit an all round development of his state.In conclusion he submitted in humility, which reflected his character as a farmer, who stood throughout his life for the welfare of the farmers and for their rights, "I can only assure you that I will try to change the entire picture of Karnataka within the next three years, because our party has come to power just three months ago and it is improper to predict without adequate and reasonable facts."He was shy of admitting or forecasting anything on any issue except that he would consider his duty to dedicate his time and energy to improve the living conditions of all the people.
"Within the next three years, there will be tremendous changes in Karnataka and then I will come and talk to you in detail about it," he said in conclusion.At a Question and Answer session later, he addressed a number of concerns by the audience, especially regarding the notoriously known poor infrastructure in the State, tough competition given by Chinese dumping of electronic goods in Indian Market and its affect on local economy on developmental front and social issues like what he could do to alleviate the struggle of Kashmiri Pandits, who have become refugees in their own country, and on religious side his governments views on governmental control on the Hindu temple administrations as against the relaxed rule on Churches and Mosques in almost all States, including Karnataka. One of the answers that brought comfort to the audience was regarding the steps he had taken to fight corruption and administrative incompetence.
He said he had already issued administrative notice to the deputy commissioners in several districts to concentrate their duties in their own region and conduct meetings in Hubli instead of coming to Bangalore for every problem.He said he also initiated Computer Conferencing with the main offices in capital, so that there would be substantial savings of time, money and energy. He hoped these could bring down corruption and increase efficiency.
He said 16000 cores rupees are already sanctioned for various infrastructure projects, and initiative had already been taken in terms of decentralization of power in the administration of temples in the State, besides contemplating appropriate legal remedies to help the Kashmiri families now settled in various parts of India, living a life of second class citizens. Earlier, Bhishma Agnihotri, made a spirited appeal to the Indian American community to organize themselves and educate our people back home. "We may not be voting, but we can help them in a variety of ways."
He asked them to call him and others volunteers of Friends of India Society International to extend their cooperation.Consul General Ashok Attri said that under his stewardship Karnataka, which is already among the top industrialized states in the Indian Union, would advance further in every economic and industrial development.
Sunil Puri, well known real estate mughal from Rockford, also spoke highly about the dedication and services of Chief Minister Yediyurappa and expressed full confidence in his ability to lead Karnataka in the direction of high industrial and economic development and make it "Pride of India."Shrinarayan Chadak was the moderator and Anil Deshpande proposed vote of thanks.

Ramesh Soparawala

More investors join IT park

More investors join IT park

Bs Reporter / Chennai/ Dharwad September 02, 2008, 3:26 IST

Two Bangalore-based and three newly-incorporated local companies have taken up nearly 28,000 square feet of space in the Hubli IT park recently raising the hopes of attracting more investors to the park dubbed a white elephant. Keonics is managing the IT park located at Tirakaramanakere in Hubli.Developed by the Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) for Rs 45 crore, the IT Park had failed to attract investors for over three years due to a lack of infrastructure in the city and uncompetitive rentals demanded by Keonics. A lack of connectivity was cited as another reason.

The first one to set up its unit in IT Park accepting the special package announced by the state government during the IT Investors’ meet in Hubli in May 2005 was Neilsoft, a Pune-based engineering software solutions company.

Bangalore-based Augen Technologies Software Solutions and Aksatech Solutions have between them taken 18,500 sq ft space for expanding their operations to the tier-II city.

The newly-incorporated Vizteck BPO Solutions, Squtech and Intense Software Solutions are the other companies planning to set up base in IT Park. Two of the companies have already taken possession of the space and have begun interior works while the others have given their acceptance letters.

The state government recently offered a special rate of Rs 9 per square foot to investors who take up the first 50,000 sq ft of the available space on offer.

Karnataka delegation in US to promote investments and tourism

Karnataka delegation in US to promote investments and tourism

Sunday, 08.31.2008, 10:48pm (GMT-7)

India Post News Service

NEW YORK: A high level delegation representing the newly formed BJP-led government in the southern Indian state of Karnataka visited the US Aug 24-31 to highlight their new industrial policy 2008-2013, in a bid to promote the state as a hotspot destination in India for investment and tourism.
The delegation held business talks with US State officials, senators, investors, venture capitalists, business heads and investment bankers, as also representatives of the travel industry.At a luncheon meet organized at the Indian Consulate in New York, Aug 27, Karnataka's minister for Large & Medium Scale Industries Murugesh Nirani gave a detailed presentation on the investor-friendly policies of his government, and the rapid growth of the state beyond its capital city of Bangalore."The World Bank certified Karnataka as the No.2 to do business in India and Bangalore (the state capital) as No.1 for the best quality human resources.
Karnataka has the capacity to build quality manpower," Nirani said. "The State is among the fastest growing in India contributing about 5.5% to the national GDP."Nirani stated that the new government was in the process of drafting a new investor policy under the 'Suvarna Karnataka' program, which aims at a sector-wise development of the entire state.The minister conceded that his government has realized the urgency of focusing on infrastructure.
They also aim to provide 24/7 uninterrupted power supply to all of Karnataka.The minister invited potential investors to participate in the Global Investors' Meet 2009, which offers an opportunity for industrialists and entrepreneurs to explore avenues for setting up business ventures in Karantaka.Sudhakar Rao, Chief Secretary to Government of Karnataka gave the gathering a glimpse into what was "new" in the state today.
"What is new in the state today is that we have a new government," Rao said. "And the most salient feature of the new government which took over three months back is that it is a single party majority government unlike the past governments which have been formed by a coalition of parties. So, now we hope to have a stable government."Rao said Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa's vision was to prioritizing agriculture and social security, while restoring Karnataka as the leader of industry. "Governance issues will no longer be a bottleneck to progress and growth," Rao added. "The Chief Minister will personally be monitoring initiatives.
There is a clear and palpable sense that the new government is giving a strong backing for infrastructure projects."Rao said that the capital city of Bangalore has grown at a rate never anticipate. However, there are other Tier II and Tier III cities like Mysore, Mangalore, Hubli, Dharwad, which have also grown to offer equally golden opportunities for investment. "Please come to Karnataka," Rao told potential investors. "But look beyond Bangalore to the other cities too.
"Earlier on Aug 26, some of the delegation members led by the state Minister for Tourism & Infrastructure Janardhana Reddy, made an elaborate presentation on Karnataka as a new emerging hotspot for US travelers, at the Pierre Hotel in Manhattan.During the road-show in New York, Karanataka unveiled its latest product offering, The Golden chariot, which is an ultra-luxury train that connects the major heritage locations of Karnataka including Hampi, Mysore and Bangalore, besides a side-trip to the coastal state of Goa. Reddy said, The United States is a prime source market for Karnataka, and we are launching an aggressive marketing campaign to consolidate ourselves in the market.
"Currently over a hundred thousand US tourists visit Karmataka out of a total of 600,000 international visitors. "While Bangalore, our capital city is a known international tourism brand, we are delighted to find increasing inflows into our other major sub-destinations such as Mysore, which is today a heritage city, the hill stations of Coorg which is famed as the 'Scotland of India' as well as the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Hampi and Pattadakar," Reddy added."Heritage and eco-tourism are our main thrust areas.
Hampi, which is known as the world's largest open-air museum due to the wide variety of heritage monuments, temples, and sculptures in one area, is today, as big a draw as any in India. Interestingly, in the temples of Hampi, which are over 700 years old, prayers and rituals are still held today as they were in ancient times," he said.Due to the increasing tourist traffic, an airport has been opened near Hampi with direct commercial flights from Bangalore.
The ultra-modern new international airport at Bangalore, developed as a joint venture with Zurich Airport and Siemens will play a major part in the development of Karnataka as a destination, with British Airways, Lufthansa, Air France, Emirates, Air India and others connecting Bangalore directly to key global capitals," said Viswanatha Reddy, Director of Tourism.

SRIREKHA N. CHAKRAVARTY