Monorail Seeding: Delhi Engineers visit Hubli

ಮೊಳಕೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಮೋನೊ ರೈಲು: ದೆಹಲಿ ಎಂಜಿನಿಯರ್*ಗಳ ತಂಡ ಭೇಟಿ

ಹುಬ್ಬಳ್ಳಿ : ಮುಂಬಯಿ ಮಾದರಿಯಲ್ಲಿಯೇ ಹುಬ್ಬಳ್ಳಿ- ಧಾರವಾಡ ಅವಳಿನಗರದಲ್ಲಿ ಮೋನೊ ರೈಲು ಯೋಜನೆ ಅನುಷ್ಠಾನಗೊಳಿಸಲು ರಾಜ್ಯ ಸರಕಾರ ಮುಂದಾಗಿದ್ದು, ಮಂಗಳವಾರ ಯೋಜನೆಯ ರೂಪುರೇಷಗಳ ಕುರಿತು ಚರ್ಚೆ ನಡೆಸಲು ಹೊಸದೆಹಲಿಯಿಂದ ಆಗಮಿಸಿದ ವಿಶೇಷ ತಂಡ ನಗರಕ್ಕೆ ಭೇಟಿ ನೀಡಿ, ಮಾಹಿತಿ ಸಂಗ್ರಹಿಸಿತು.

ಹೊಸದೆಹಲಿಯ ಎಂಜಿನಿಯರಿಂಗ್ ಕನ್ಸಲ್ಟನ್ಸಿ ಇಂಡಿಯಾದ ಹೆಚ್ಚುವರಿ ಅಭಿಯಂತರ ಕೆ.ಜೆ. ರಂಗನಾಥ ನೇತೃತ್ವದ ತಂಡ ಹುಬ್ಬಳ್ಳಿ- ಧಾರವಾಡ ನಗರಾಭಿವೃದ್ಧಿ ಪ್ರಾಧಿಕಾರದ ಕಚೇರಿಗೆ ಭೇಟಿ ನೀಡಿ, ಯೋಜನೆ ಸಾಧ್ಯತೆ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ಮಾಹಿತಿ ಪಡೆದುಕೊಂಡಿತು. ಮಹಾನಗರದಲ್ಲಿ ಮೋನೊ ರೈಲು ಸಂಚರಿಸುವ ವ್ಯಾಪ್ತಿ, ಯೋಜನೆಗೆ ಬೇಕಾಗುವ ಅಗತ್ಯ ಭೂಮಿ, ತಗುಲುವ ವೆಚ್ಚ ಹಾಗೂ ಅಗತ್ಯ ಸೌಲಭ್ಯಗಳ ಕುರಿತು ಹುಡಾ ಅಧಿಕಾರಿಗಳೊಂದಿಗೆ ನಡೆದ ಸಭೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ವಿಸ್ತೃತ ಚರ್ಚೆ ನಡೆಯಿತು.

ಮೋನೊ ರೈಲು ಸಂಚಾರ ವ್ಯವಸ್ಥೆ ಮೆಟ್ರೊ ರೈಲ್*ಗಿಂತ ಭಿನ್ನವಾಗಿದ್ದು, ಸಿಂಗಲ್ ಟ್ರ್ಯಾಕ್ ಮೇಲೆ ಸಂಚರಿಸಬಲ್ಲದು. ಹೀಗಾಗಿ ಫುಟಪಾತ್ ಮೇಲೆ ಎತ್ತರದ ಸಿಮೆಂಟ್ ಫಿಲ್ಲರ್ ಎಬ್ಬಿಸಿ ಅದರ ಮೇಲೆ ರೈಲು ಟ್ರ್ಯಾಕ್ ನಿರ್ಮಿಸಬಹುದಾಗಿದೆ. ಹೀಗಾಗಿ ಈ ಯೋಜನೆಗೆ ಅಗತ್ಯ ಸೌಕರ್ಯ ನಗರದ ಎಲ್ಲ ಪ್ರದೇಶದಲ್ಲಿ ಲಭ್ಯವಿದೆ. ಯೋಜನೆ ಅನುಷ್ಠಾನಕ್ಕೆ ಯಾವುದೇ ಅಡ್ಡಿ- ಆತಂಕಗಳು ಇಲ್ಲ ಎಂದು ಹುಡಾ ಅಧಿಕಾರಿಗಳು ರಂಗನಾಥ್ ಅವರಿಗೆ ಮಾಹಿತಿ ನೀಡಿದರು.

ಎಲ್ಲೆಲ್ಲಿ ಮೋನೊ ರೈಲು?

ಎಂಜನಿಯರಿಂಗ್ ಕನ್ಸಲ್ಟನ್ಸಿ ಇಂಡಿಯಾದ ಅಭಿಯಂತರರಿಗೆ ಮೋನೊ ರೈಲು ಸಂಚರಿಸುವ ಪ್ರಮುಖ ಸ್ಥಳಗಳ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ಹುಡಾ ಅಧಿಕಾರಿಗಳು ಮಾಹಿತಿ ನೀಡಿದರು. ಹುಬ್ಬಳ್ಳಿ- ಧಾರವಾಡ ವ್ಯಾಪ್ತಿಯ 60 ಕಿ.ಮೀ. ಪ್ರದೇಶದಲ್ಲಿ ರೈಲ್ವೆ ಟ್ರ್ಯಾಕ್ ನಿರ್ಮಾಣದ ಅವಶ್ಯಕತೆ ಇದೆ. ಹುಬ್ಬಳ್ಳಿಯ ಹಳೇಬಸ್ ನಿಲ್ದಾಣದಿಂದ ದುರ್ಗದಬೈಲ್, ಸಿಬಿಟಿ, ರೈಲ್ವೆಸ್ಟೆಷನ್, ಸಿದ್ದಾರೂಢಮಠ, ಕುಸುಗಲ್ ಪ್ರದೇಶಗಳಿಗೆ ಸಂಪರ್ಕ ಕಲ್ಪಿಸುವುದು ಅಗತ್ಯ. ಧಾರವಾಡ ಆಲೂರು ವೆಂಕಟರಾವ್ ವೃತ್ತದಿಂದ, ರೈಲ್ವೆ ಸ್ಟೆಷನ್, ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ ವಿಶ್ವ ವಿದ್ಯಾಲಯ, ಕೃಷಿ ವಿಶ್ವ ವಿದ್ಯಾಲಯ, ಕೆಲಗೇರಿ ರಸ್ತೆ ಹಾಗೂ ಸಿಬಿಟಿಗೆ ಸಂಪರ್ಕ ಕಲ್ಪಿಸುವಂತೆ ಮೋನೊ ರೈಲು ಓಡಿಸಬೇಕು. ಜತೆಗೆ ಉಣಕಲ್*ನಿಂದ ಜೆಎಸ್*ಎಸ್ ಕಾಲೇಜುವರೆಗೂ ಮೋನೊ ರೈಲು ಓಡಿಸುವ ಉದ್ದೇಶ ಹೊಂದಲಾಗಿದೆ ಎಂದು ಹುಡಾ ಅಧಿಕಾರಿಗಳು ಮೋನೊ ರೈಲ್ ಮಾರ್ಗಸೂಚಿ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ದೆಹಲಿಯಿಂದ ಆಗಮಿಸಿದ ಅಧಿಕಾರಿಗಳಿಗೆ ತಿಳಿಸಿದರು.

ಮೋನೊ ರೈಲು ಯೋಜನೆ ನಿರ್ಮಾಣವನ್ನು ಅಂತಾರಾಷ್ಟ್ರೀಯ ಕಂಪನಿಗೆ ಲೀಸ್ ಮೇಲೆ ನೀಡಿದಲ್ಲಿ, ಅದರಿಂದ ಪ್ರಯಾಣಿಕರ ಮೇಲೆ ಹೊರೆ ಬೀಳಲಿದೆಯೇ ಎಂದು ರಂಗನಾಥ ಅವರನ್ನು ಪ್ರಶ್ನಿಸಿದ ಹುಡಾ ಅಧ್ಯಕ್ಷರು ಕುರಿತು ಸ್ಪಷ್ಟ ಮಾಹಿತಿ ನೀಡುವಂತೆ ವಿನಂತಿಸಿದರು.

ಯೋಜನೆ ಸಾಧ್ಯತೆಗಳ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ಮಾಹಿತಿ ಪಡೆದುಕೊಂಡ ಅಭಿಯಂತರರು, ಮುಂದಿನ ವಾರ ಮತ್ತೊಂದು ತಂಡ ಆಗಮಿಸಲಿದ್ದು, ಅಧ್ಯಯನ ನಡೆಸುವ ಜತೆಗೆ ಪ್ರಾತ್ಯಕ್ಷಿಕೆ ಮೂಲಕ ಯೋಜನೆಗೆ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ವಿವರಣೆ ನೀಡಲಿದೆ ಎಂದು ವಿವರಿಸಿದರು.

ಹುಡಾ ಅಧ್ಯಕ್ಷ ಲಿಂಗರಾಜ ಪಾಟೀಲ್, ಆಯುಕ್ತ ಆರ್.ಎನ್.ಶಾನಭಾಗ, ಅಧಿಕಾರಿಗಳಾದ ಕವಲೂರ, ಶೀಲವಂತರ, ಜೋಶಿ ಮತ್ತಿತರರು ಸಭೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಪಾಲ್ಗೊಂಡಿದ್ದರು.

ಮುಂದಿನ ವಾರ ಸಿಎಂ ಸಭೆ 

ಈ ಕುರಿತಂತೆ ವಿಜಯ ಕರ್ನಾಟಕದೊಂದಿಗೆ ಮಾತನಾಡಿದ ಹುಡಾ ಅಧ್ಯಕ್ಷ ಲಿಂಗರಾಜ ಪಾಟೀಲ, ಮುಖ್ಯಮಂತ್ರಿ ಜಗದೀಶ ಶೆಟ್ಟರ್ ಮೋನೊ ರೈಲು ಯೋಜನೆ ಜಾರಿಗೆ ವಿಶೇಷ ಆಸಕ್ತಿ ತೋರಿದ್ದಾರೆ. ಯೋಜನೆ ಅನುಷ್ಠಾನಕ್ಕೆ ಚಾಲನೆ ದೊರೆತಂತಾಗಿದ್ದು, ಮುಂದಿನವಾರ ಆಗಮಿಸಲಿರುವ ತಜ್ಞರ ಸಭೆಯನ್ನು ಮುಖ್ಯಮಂತ್ರಿಗಳ ಸಮ್ಮುಖದಲ್ಲಿ ಬೆಂಗಳೂರಿನಲ್ಲಿ ನಡೆಸಬೇಕೋ ಅಥವಾ ಹುಬ್ಬಳ್ಳಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ನಡೆಸಬೇಕೊ ಎಂಬುದರ ಕುರಿತು ಇನ್ನೂ ನಿರ್ಧಾರವಾಗಿಲ್ಲ ಎಂದು ಹೇಳಿದರು.

Global TiE members mentor Hubli firms

Global TiE members mentor Hubli firms 

Business Line 

HUBLI, AUG. 21: The Indus Entrepreneurs (TiE) global mentors have arrived in Hubli to help kindle entrepreneurial spirit.

 The Hubli chapter of TiE held ‘Biz Plan Presentation’ session which provided opportunity to three local companies – Sankalp Semiconductors, Nextgen Album and Spandana Copper Conductors to present their plans.

 The session was chaired by Gururaj Deshpande (‘Desh’ Deshpande) an Indian American venture capitalist. Addressing entrepreneurs, Deshpande said, “One should make use of TiE Network effectively to learn from successful entrepreneurs. The network works as a resource centre for the local entrepreneurs to utilise and build their organization.” Hemang Dave, a venture capitalist shared his entrepreneurial journey and VC experience. He said India is the right place to start the business at present. “The only difference between entrepreneurs and ordinary people is that the entrepreneur implements the idea and converts it into a business, while ordinary people just spend time by thinking on the ideas. Entrepreneurial journey is hard for both genders and it is not gender oriented,” he added.

 Others who are part of the mentoring are Sushil Vachani, professor of strategy and innovation at Boston University’s School of Management and Raj Melville, an executive director at the Deshpande Foundation, who develops overall strategy, and channels the efforts to encourage innovation.

 On the theme ‘Current business: How to scale up,’ business plan presentations were made by Prabhat Aggarwal of Sankalp Semiconductors. Vijay Mane of Nextgen Album Designs and Prasant Yadav of Spandana Copper Conductors spoke about the company’s challenges in Hubli. According to Naveen Jha, president of TiE Hubli Chapter and CEO of Deshpande Foundation, India, the objective of holding the event is to provide opportunity with the objective of stimulating and nourishing entrepreneurial spirit in small towns.

The entrepreneurs have mentored many start-ups to grow aggressively in their respective sectors and all are very active in various TiE chapters globally, he added.

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Karnataka crisis: Sadananda Gowda resigns, Jagadish Shettar is new CM

Karnataka crisis: Sadananda Gowda resigns, Jagadish Shettar is new CM
CNN-IBN

New Delhi: It is official. BJP leader DV Sadananda Gowda has resigned from the post of Karnataka Chief Minister and BS Yeddyurappa loyalist and Lingayat leader Jagadish Shettar will replace him. BJP President Nitin Gadkari made the announcement after a party meeting on Sunday in the capital.

Making the announcement, Gadkari said, "Sadananda Gowda offered to resign for the larger good of the party. The party has accepted his resignation. The party has decided to make Jagadish Shettar the new Karnataka Chief Minister."

He added, "Sadananda Gowda has done a good job as Chief Minister for 11 months. There is no complaint against his work. Arun Jaitley and Rajnath Singh will be going to Bangalore tomorrow. There would be a state legislatures meet."

The announcement may have ended a long fought battle between Gowda and party strongman BS Yeddyurappa, whom he had replaced nearly an year ago.

Within months of Gowda taking over, ties between him and his predecessor had strained and Yeddyurappa, on numerous occasions, threatened to leave the party if Gowda was not replaced.

Yeddyurappa is believed to have proposed his loyalist and Lingayat leader Jagadish Shettar's name for the post. It is likely the BJP high command made its decision eyeing the powerful Lingayat votes in the state.

Meanwhile, Gowda has said that he would be loyal to the party "in the future also" and the new Chief Minister will be extended "all cooperation from me".

"My central leaders have taken a decision for change of leadership in Karnataka for political reasons... I will be loyal to the party in future also. The incoming CM will be given all cooperation from me," he said.

Sources say the BJP will likely send Sadanand Gowda to the Rajya Sabha.

They also say that KS Eshwarappa could be made the deputy chief minister of the state.

Gowda resigns, Shettar to be new Karnataka CM

Gowda resigns, Shettar to be new Karnataka CM 

PTI, New Delhi, July 08, 2012 

Karnataka rural development minister Jagadish Shettar, who is an aspirant for the post of chief minister of the state

Ending the political impasse in Karnataka, BJP on Sunday announced that chief minister Sadanand Gowda has submitted his resignation to the party and will be replaced by BS Yeddyurappa's loyalist Jagadish Shettar. The BJP high command bowed to Lingayat leader Yeddyurappa in view of the assembly elections due early next year and agreed to replace 59-year-old Gowda, a Vokkaliga leader, with rural development minister Shettar, 56, who is a Lingayat. 

"In view of the current political situation in Karnataka, Sadanand Gowda has handed over his resignation to me. In his tenure, he did work and the performance of our government was very good. "There were no complaints against him on grounds of corruption but keeping the party's interest in mind, as a good party worker, he has resigned in the interest of the organisation," BJP President Nitin Gadkari told reporters in New Delhi. He also announced that he has accepted Gowda's resignation on behalf of the party. "Our party has decided to hand over the leadership to Jagadish Shettar," Gadkari said. 

Senior BJP leaders Rajnath Singh and Arun Jaitley will go to Bengalore on Monday to oversee the formal election of Shettar as chief minister of Karnataka by the party MLAs. Asked if deputy chief ministers would also be appointed by the party as was reported earlier, Gadkari said no such decision has been taken on this issue. 

With the assembly elections just 10 months away, the BJP central leadership realised that to put up a "good show", it will have to fight under the leadership of Yeddyurappa, whom many see as the undisputed leader of the Lingayat community which has always voted for the party, BJP sources said.

Who is Jagadish Shettar?

Who is Jagadish Shettar? 

IBNLive, Jul 07, 2012 at 02:33pm IST 

Jagadish Shivappa Shettar -Chief Minister of Karnataka in waiting

New Delhi: Jagadish Shivappa Shettar was born on December 17, 1955, in Kerur village of Bagalkot district, Karnataka to SS Shettar and Basavanemma. His father, SS Shettar, was a senior activist of the Jana Sangh and was elected five times to the Hubli-Dharwad Municipal Corporation and became the first Jana Sangh mayor of Hubli-Dharwad. Jagdish Shettar's uncle Sadashiv Shettar was the first Jana Sangh leader in the South to get elected to the Karnataka Legislative Assembly from Hubli City in 1967. 

Shettar's plunge into politics began with the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad. He also became an active member of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. Shettar has BCom and LLB degrees and was a practising lawyer for 20 years at the Hubli Bar. He married Shilpa. The couple has two sons - Prashant and Sankalp. In 1990, he became the president of the Hubli rural Unit of the BJP. Then in 1994, he became the Dharwad district unit chief of the party. The same year, he was elected to the Assembly for the first time. Since then, he has been re-elected from the Hubli rural constituency for four successive terms. In 1996, Shettar became the BJP state secretary. 

In 1999, when he got elected for his second legislative term, he was chosen as the Leader of Opposition in the Assembly while SM Krishna was the chief minister of Karnataka. In 2005, he was appointed as the BJP's state unit president. He went on to become the revenue minister in the JD(S)-BJP coalition government headed by HD Devegowda's son HD Kumaraswamy in 2006. In 2008, following the BJP's victory in the Assembly polls, Shettar became the Speaker. But he resigned just a year later and was inducted into the cabinet of BS Yeddyurappa as minister for rural development and Panchayat Raj. 

In 2011, following the resignation of Yeddyurappa, Shettar emerged as a major contender for the post of the chief minister. However, the BJP Legislature Party elected DV Sadananda Gowda instead. But in 2012, things changed and Shettar was chosen by the BJP central leadership to replace Gowda.

Shettar set to be new Karnataka CM

Shettar set to be new Karnataka CM

PTI & IBNLive | 09:07 PM,2012 

Chief Minister of Karnataka in Waiting

New Delhi: Jagadish Shettar is set to be the new Chief Minister of Karnataka with the BJP today succumbing to B S Yeddyurappa's demands for replacing Sadananda Gowda, marking the second change of leadership in the state in 11 months. Gowda is expected to step down tomorrow paving the way for Shettar, a 56-year-old Lingayat leader and Rural Development Minister, to take over as the Chief Minister, sources said. 

As per the decisions reached at a series of meetings today, K S Eshwarappa and R Ashok may be made Deputy Chief Ministers. Gowda may be made party unit chief in Karnataka. The decision to replace Gowda with Shettar, Yeddyurappa's close associate, was taken at BJP's Core Group and Parliamentary Board meetings today. 59-year-old Gowda, expressed readiness to quit, held marathon discussions with the BJP leadership, including L K Advani, Sushma Swaraj and Arunj Jaitley. 

He will meet party President Nitin Gadkari tomorrow after which the decision will be announced. Jaitley said the entire political situation in the state was discussed during over two-and-a-half hour meeting. "After the Chief Minister meets the party President, whatever the party's Core Group and the Parliamentary Board has discussed and decided, after consultations with the Chief Minister, will be announced tomorrow morning," Jaitley said. 

Shettar will be the third Chief Minister in four years in Karnataka, the only southern state having BJP government, and his nomination will mark the second change in 11 months. Gowda, who replaced Yeddyurrappa after the latter was removed in the wake of corruption charges, earlier said he was ready to quit whenever asked by the party high command. "I have said whatever decision the central leadership takes, I am prepared to accept. That means if they ask me to quit the post, I am prepared. If they ask me to continue, I will continue," he told reporters after reaching here from Bangalore in the afternoon. (MORE)

Two airlines evince interest in Bangalore-Hubli route

Two airlines evince interest in Bangalore-Hubli route
Hubli, July 6, 2012, DHNS

Spicejet Airways and Pegasus Airlines, which is making a foray into the civil aviation sector, have evinced interest in introducing flights between Bangalore and Hubli. 


The companies, which are waiting for Airports Authority of India’s permission, are keen on the route as Kingfisher Airlines suspended its operations a fortnight ago. K M Basavaraju, Director, Hubli Airport Authority, said the Spicejet representatives had conducted a survey with regard to operation of flights on the route. 


The letter by Spicejet had been sent to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation. Spicejet has purchased three new aircraft and planned to operate flights between the two cities starting August. Basavaraju said Pegasus too had written a letter seeking to begin its maiden flight from Hubli. 


N P Javali, Chairman of the Karnataka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Hubli), said the suspension of operations by Kingfisher had adversely effected industrialists and businessmen from North Karnataka as they do not have air connectivity to Bangalore.

‘Govt fully behind automobile industry’

Govt fully behind automobile industry’

Published: Friday, Jun 8, 2012, 11:21 IST 

By DNA Correspondent | Place: Bangalore | Agency: DNA

The state government has been taking a special interest in the development of the automobile industry, minister for medium and large industries, Murugesh R Nirani, said on Thursday. He was speaking at a seminar on ‘Manufacturing: Focus on Engineering and Automotive Industry’ at the Global Investor’s Meet (GIM).

Nirani said the government had been offering infrastructure to the automobile sector’s growth, including at Narsapura industrial area in Kolar district, which is the upcoming automotive hub. He said that the industrial area was spread over 685 acres and the government was planning to allocate another 1,300 acres to it.

Nirani said that the government had decided to set up dedicated auto zones at Ramanagar, Shimoga, Hubli and Dharwad along the Suvarna Karnataka Development Corridor. He said currently, the state had auto clusters at Hoskote, Bidadi and Dharwad, and an industrial valve cluster at Hubli-Dharwad, besides auto-component clusters in Shimoga and Belgaum.

He said the state government had been taking steps to facilitate the automobile sector’s growth. He said the government was offering a special package for investment of more than Rs250 crore. Also, he said, special packages had been extended to many medium- and largescale projects the in auto sector in the state.

“The government has been offering investment promotion subsidy to small and medium enterprises, exemption of stamp duty and concessional registration charges, refund of conversion penalty, exemption from entry tax, incentives for export-oriented units, interest-free loans and VAT for large and mega projects,” he said.

GIM 2012: Have no doubt, we’ll sort it out, says Karnataka CM

GIM 2012: Have no doubt, we’ll sort it out, says Karnataka CM

Published: Saturday, Jun 9, 2012, 10:19 IST 

By Y Maheswara Reddy | Place: Bangalore | Agency: DNA

Chief Minister DV Sadananda Gowda believes that the Global Investors Meet-2012 has been a resounding success. The chief minister said that the two-day show that concluded on Friday netted total investment commitments of Rs7.6 lakh crore, with the number of MoUs signed touching 730. The proposals, he said during his valedictory address, had the potential to create 15 lakh jobs.

Congratulating minister for medium and large industries, Murugesh R Nirani, and officials of various departments for making the GIM 2012 a “grand” success, Gowda said: “We have gone beyond our own expectations on the success of GIM 2012. I am very happy with its success. The GIM 2012 has received `7.6 lakh crore investments and 730 MoUs and expressions of interest were signed. Apart from this, Rs1.68 lakh crore worth of registrations of interest for infrastructure projects were received.”

Urging investors not to have any doubt on the implementation of the projects signed at the GIM 2012, the chief minister said a high-level committee will soon be constituted under the chairmanship of chief secretary to look into issues.

“The committee will meet once in a month and monitor the progress of the projects.The committee will have representatives from industry and trade associations,’’ he said.

Gowda also said that he will take a special interest in implementing most of the projects signed at the GIM 2012. “I will take measures to have exclusive review of these proposals made at the GIM 2012. No investor should hesitate to call me overmy mobile phone if he has any doubt about the implementation ofthe project or faces any problem from government departments,’’ he said.

Earlier, chief secretary SV Ranganath said that around 10,000 delegates attended the GIM 2012. “More than 200 industry leaders were present. The GIM 2012 registered 40,000 footfalls. Around 500 business-to-business (B2B) meetings were held. The GIM 2012 had attracted 460 exhibitors from eight states and 13 countries,’’ Ranganath said.

Assuring the state government’s commitment to facilitate the realisation of investment commitments made at the GIM 2012, he said the gas pipeline project - approved during GIM 2010 - would become reality by next month. “I am proud to say that 400 approvals were given in the last three months. The government is planning to create an infrastructure board (autonomous) and the Infrastructure Bill will get legislature approval shortly. It will be introduced in the next legislative session,’’ he promised.

To create a conducive atmosphere for investors, he said the government is contemplating to introduce an investor relationship management system. “A government official will be assigned to upload all the information on the progress of various projects and the proceedings of the review meetings,’’ he said.

To make land allotment hassle-free, the government plans to speed up the land allotment process.

“The process of layout planning will commence after the preliminary notification and a notice will be issued for the price advisory committee after the final notification. The government will ensure bulk approvals for department clearances such as the Pollution Control Board,’’ he said.

Companies assure big deals as Karnataka looks beyond Bangalore for growth

Companies assure big deals as Karnataka looks beyond Bangalore for growth

PTI & HT Times

Bangalore, June 08, 2012

The Karnataka government on Friday said that the tourism sector has attracted Rs. 35,000 crore worth of investment in the ongoing Global Investors Meet. Addressing a session organised as part of GIM 2012, Latha Krishna Rau, principal secretary, tourism department, said that a lot of investors were showing keen interest in investing at Hampi, a UNESCO World Heritage Centre.

"Hyatt Hotels and Resorts is setting up a five-star hotel at Hampi. Orange County, Somateeram and Windflower are setting up resorts around heritage spots like Pattadakal, Aihole, Belur, Bijapur, Jog, Mysore and Anekal," she said at the concluding day of the two-day summit.

The government had said on Thursday that it had attracted a commitment for investment to the tune of Rs. 5,00,000 crore in 14 different sectors. Major investment decisions, including Rs. 30,000 crore from Tata Steel, Rs.7,000 crore from Aditya Birla Group and Rs. 350 crore from GE India, were announced on the first day of the two-day meet.

Karnataka government officials had earlier said that the state aims to sign deals envisaging an investment of Rs. 6 lakh crore during the meet. The government had signed 389 MoUs with (envisaged) investments amounting to Rs. 3.9 lakh crore in GIM 2010.

GIM 2012 GARNERS Rs.7.6 LAKH CRORE INVESTMENT ACROSS SECTORS

GIM 2012 GARNERS Rs.7.6 LAKH CRORE INVESTMENT ACROSS SECTORS 

Govt Of Karnataka Press Release

- Potential to create 15 lakh jobs in the State

- In addition, 1.68 lakh crores of investment received as registration of interest for the infrastructure sector 

Bangalore, June 8, 2012

The flagship event of the Karnataka Government, Global Investors Meet (GIM) 2012 held in Bangalore at the Bangalore International Exhibition Centre (BIEC) came to a close today with the Government signing 730 MOUs across several sectors for investments in the State. The government today garnered investment of over 7.6 lakh crores with a potential to offer over 15 lakh jobs. In addition 1.68 lakh crores of investment was received as registration of interest for the infrastructure sector. Over the last two days, the event had a participation of over 40,000 visitors. 

Addressing the media at the close of GIM 2012, Mr. D.V. Sadananda Gowda, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Karnataka said that the response to Karnataka has been tremendous. “The Global Investors’ Meet has been 

organized as a focused endeavor to realize Karnataka’s vision of achieving sustainable economic development, increase in employment levels, betterlivelihood, balanced regional development and environmentally sustainable long-term development, as outlined in our Vision 2020. I am happy to say that through the success of GIM 2012, we are on the right track. We look forward to strengthen partnerships with our investors in our mutual quest to achieve enhanced and wide ranging interactions and initiatives in the future. Over the last 20 months, we have invested a large amount of time preparing for Global Investors Meet 2012 and have interacted with investors not only in India but in several other countries”, he added.

“The success of GIM 2012 is a result of our efforts in reaching out to and offering them the best business climate at par with the best in the world. We are continuing our efforts to enhance and sustain investments across sectors through proactive and innovative initiatives in policy and GIM 2012 has taken us to the next level”, Mr.Gowda said. “The Government of Karnataka is committed to inviting and sustaining investments that would enhance inclusive growth and employment within the state. In line with this, one of the initiatives is the forming of a Karnataka ICT Group 2020. The mission of the group is to increase ICT exports to Rs 4 Lakh crores and create additional 12L jobs by 2020. The group also intends to help incubating 1000 start ups and entrepreneur driven initiatives”, Mr.Gowda added. 

Over the last two days, This GIM focussed on a wide range of upcoming sectors like knowledge economy, science and technology, engineering, tourism, textile, infrastructure, and energy. Karnataka offers an abundance of investment opportunities in each of these sectors with a slew of sector-specific policy initiatives to encourage investor interest. The State has also placed special emphasis on business partnerships for development of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

The GIM Expo saw the participation of over 462 exhibitors over an area of 200000 sft. consisting 13 countries including Japan, Germany, Mexico, Italy, Canada, UK, Taiwan, etc. 9 leading states from India like MP, Bihar, Rajasthan Kerala, Gujarat, Chattisgarh and Jharkhand. Over 130 PSUs and large enterprises like Tata, Toyota, Honda, JSW, L&T, MRPL, Indian Oil, HAL and SBI to name a few. Over 300 Small and micro enterprises from across Karnataka covering all districts also participated. B to B meetings Interlinx partnering online tool received 2600 registered delegates leading to about 2200 plus meeting requests and over 560 meetings were held at the venue. India partnering meetings numbered over 150 amongst National and International participants. 

Speaking at the press conference, Mr.Murugesh Nirani, Hon’ble Minister for Large and Medium Industries attributed the success of GIM 2012 to an unrelenting quest by the Government to proactively identify and find solutions to issues investors were facing. “Going by the tremendous success of the Global Investment Meet 2012 and the unprecedented response from investors through the signing of MOUs valued at over 7.6 

lakh crore, we have proved that Karnataka is the most preferred destination not only in the country but in the region as well”, Mr.Nirani said. 

Speaking on the State’s commitment to facilitate the smooth flow of business for investors, Mr.Nirani added that the State government has launched innovative policies, under which attractive incentives across a 

wide variety of sectors have been offered to investors to create an enabling policy environment and address the varied needs of industry in the state. “Karnataka has launched India’s first Animation, Visual Effects, 

Gaming and Comics Policy apart from focusing on a strong and effective Intellectual Property Rights framework through greater awareness and commercialization. In addition, the Government is putting in place 

polices to advance further facilitate investment in the state. Draft policies that are ready for release include Infrastructure Bill, Special investment Region Act, Karnataka State Housing Policy, Automobile Policy, Aerospace Policy, Solar Policy, Pharma Sector Policy”, he added.

The State has been proactive in identifying and addressing investors’ needs through timely policy-level interventions such as The New Industrial Policy, State SEZ Policy, Electronic Hardware Policy, Textile Policy and Integrated Agri Business and Agro-Processing Policy. The government is in continuous communication with investors to seek feedback and further enhance the business environment in the state. 

The State has also provided land for the establishment of Indian Institute of Nano Science and Technology, and for the establishment of International Centre for Theoretical Sciences. 

In its past experience, the State realized that land was one of the primary issues facing investors and hence, the Government has taken a series of positive steps to acquire and build a land bank near Devanahalli to establish a software park, an electronic hardware park and an aerospace park to harness the vast potential in this sector. The state has allocated 4000 acres of land for the development of a science city in 

Challakere, about 200 kilometers from Bengaluru, where the prestigious Indian Institute of Science will locate its second campus”, Mr.Nirani said. 

Karnataka is the first state in the country to promote nano science and nanotechnology. In a significant move to attract investment from nanotechnology-based industries, the Government has initiated a project to develop a nano park on approximately 100 acres. The state has also proposed the establishment of a technology innovation and research center, based on the Industrial Technology Research Institute model in 

Taiwan. 

Government of Karnataka has allotted 50 acres of land near Bengaluru airport to IFCI to build a financial city. In addition, the state has taken the initiative to develop an integrated Information Technology Investment Region (ITIR), covering an area of 40 sq. km. The Central Government has given an “in principle” clearance for the project. First phase of this project has been initiated in 2072 acres of land. 

The State government had organized the first Global Investors Meet in 2010 to demonstrate its commitment to promote equitable growth across the state to make it globally competitive and a leader among Indian states. The event organized in 2010, was a grand success and the state signed 389 MoUs with investments amounting to Rs 3.92 lakh crores (US$ 78.4 billion), of which more than 72% of the projects are in various stages of implementation. The Knowledge partners for GIM 2012 were Ernst & Young and Event Partner was MM Activ Sci Tech Communications. 

Karnataka Global Investors' Meet exceeds investment target

Karnataka Global Investors' Meet exceeds investment target

8 JUN, 2012, 08.40PM IST, IANS 

 

BANGALORE: It is raining trillions (crores) of rupees in Karnataka at its second Global Investors' Meet (GIM 2012) even though the advancing south-west monsoon is yet to hit this tech hub.

"We have received investment proposals worth a whopping Rs.7.6 trillion (Rs.7.6-lakh crore) from 730 global and Indian firms, exceeding the modest target of Rs.6 trillion (Rs.6 lakh crore) set for the second edition of GIM," state Chief Secretary S.V. Ranganath announced at the valedictory function of the two-day mega event here.

In addition, the state government has signed registration of interest for basic infrastructure projects in the state to the tune of Rs.1.68 trillion (Rs.1.68 lakh crore).

The proposed investments and projects in 20 diverse sectors are projected to create about 1.5 million direct jobs to the people, including youth and women.

"A dozen state-run, private and foreign banks have also signed an agreement with the state government to provide Rs.3 trillion (Rs.3 lakh crore) as term loans and working capital to the firms investing across the state in the diverse sectors," an elated Ranganath told about 1,000 delegates present on the occasion.

Of the 20 sectors, about 40 percent of the total investment will be in energy alone for setting up power projects, followed by iron and steel 15.3 percent, cement 6.3 percent, IT & electronics 6.3 percent, industrial infrastructure 6.2 percent, chemical and petrochemicals 5.5 percent and housing & urban development 4.4 percent.

"The sunrise micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) sector has for the first time attracted investment proposals worth Rs.35,000 crore (Rs.350 billion)," Ranganath asserted.

Among the 30 districts across the state, Bangalore urban and rural districts will account for 19.2 percent of the total investments and projects, followed by Chickballapur and Haveri four percent each.

In this context, state-run Housing & Urban Development Corporation (HUDCO) chairman V.P. Baligar said the state government would have to invest a whopping Rs.1 trillion (Rs.1 lakh crore) to create the required infrastructure, including housing for providing an enabling environment and an eco-system for the prospective investors.

"For the Rs.9.2 trillion investments coming into the state, with prospects of creating 1.5 million jobs over the next five years, the state will have to have concurrently invest in basic infrastructure across urban and industrial areas and housing," Baligar, an IAS officer from the state cadre, exhorted.

Karnataka GIM fetches proposals worth Rs 7.6 lakh-crore

Karnataka GIM fetches proposals worth Rs 7.6 lakh-crore

The Hindu BusinessLine

Curtain call: Dr Raghupati Singhania, vice-chairman and MD, JK Tyres, and Mr D.V. Sadananda Gowda, Chief Minister of Karnataka, at the valedictory of the Global Investors Meet 2012 in Bangalore on Friday. – Photo: G.R.N. Somashekar

BANGALORE JUNE 8:
Karnataka has received investment proposals worth Rs 7.6 lakh-crore at the Global Investors Meet (GIM) 2012 with the potential to offer 15 lakh jobs. In addition, Rs 1.68 lakh crore was received as registration of interest for infrastructure sector.

A total of 730 MoUs were signed during the meet. Buoyed by the success of the meet, the State leadership has assured the business community that all MoUs signed at the two-day event will be taken to their logical end.

“GIM 2010 laid a ‘strong foundation' and GIM 2012 has built ‘tower of hope'. We expect success in days to come,” Karnataka ministers said. About 12,000 delegates, 800 companies, 462 exhibitors, over 30 MSMEs and 40 countries took part in this edition of GIM.“In the last two days, GIM has focused on a range of upcoming sectors such as economics, science and technology, engineering, tourism, textile, infrastructure and energy,” the Chief Minister, Mr D.V. Sadananda Gowda, said during the valedictory function of GIM 2012.

“The State realises that land is one of primary issues. The government has taken a series of positive steps to build a land bank near Devanhalli for software and electronic hardware park,” the Minister for Large and Medium Industries, Mr Murugesh R. Nirani, said. The State has allocated 4,000 acres for science city in Challakere, about 200 km from Bangalore, he added.

In the last edition of GIM, 389 MoUs worth Rs 3.91 lakh crore were signed. Of them, 72 per cent are in various stages of implementation, he said.

Suzlon signs EoI to develop 2,500 mw of wind power capacity 

7 JUN, 2012, 08.21PM IST, PTI

BANGALORE: Wind turbine manufacturer Suzlon Group today signed an expression of interest (EoI) with the government of Karnataka to develop 2,500 megawatt (MW) of new wind power capacity in the state between 2012 and 2017. 

Speaking on the occasion here, Suzlon Group Chairman Tulsi Tanti said: "This not only reinforces Karnataka's position as one of India's leading markets in wind energy, but also illustrates their commitment towards creating a low-carbon economy in the state".

The EoI covers the development of new capacity in wind farms across the state, with developments planned in the districts of Bijapur, Chitradurga, Tumkur, Dharwad, Raichur, Chikmagalur, Mysore, Belgaum and Bagalkot. The investment is worth Rs 15,000 crore, according to a company statement. 

Under the EoI signed during GIM 2012, the Karnataka government would obtain the necessary permissions, registrations, approvals and clearances for the development of wind farms in the state. 

Suzlon, in turn, would play the role of a developer and facilitate the flow of investments into the state through its customers investing in wind energy. Karnataka has large untapped wind energy potential, with estimates ranging around 13,000 MW according to Centre for Wind Energy Technology (CWET).

Karnataka attracts Rs1.6 trillion investments

Karnataka attracts Rs1.6 trillion investments

Livemint -Shamsheer Yousaf

Bangalore: The Karnataka government on Thursday signed agreements that propose Rs1.6 trillion in private investments in the state.

Power and infrastructure conglomerate GVK Group signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the state government at the Global Investors Meet 2012 to spend Rs29,000 crore to build power plants.

Suzlon Group chairman and managing director Tulsi R. Tanti signed an agreement with chief minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda to set up 3,000MW of wind and solar energy projects, investing Rs20,000 crore. Welspun Energy signed an MoU to build a windmill and solar park for Rs9,900 crore.

Kumar Mangalam Birla, chairman and managing director of the Aditya Birla Group, proposed to invest Rs6,150 crore to expand its cement factory in the state, and another Rs395 crore to set up a caustic soda plant. “We will also be expanding our fibre plant in Harihar and our alumina plant in Belgaum,” Birla said.

The Embassy Group signed an agreement for Rs14,370 crore for an information technology and logistic warehousing park, and Ascendas India Trust signed an MoU for Rs10,483 crore for an integrated IT and electronics park at Bagalur near Bangalore.

Sun Forest City, a joint venture of Gurgaon-based investment firm Sun Group and US-based real estate enterprise Forest City, signed a Rs9,340 crore deal for the development of an aerospace city. The group will also provide an ecosystem for aerospace industries in three phases near the Bangalore international airport.

T.V. Mohandas Pai, chairman of the state’s vision group on information and communications technology, said the state government is aiming to increase information technology (IT) exports from $25 billion to $70 billion by 2020. Pai was previously director, human resources, at software services firm Infosys Ltd and is now chairman of Manipal Education.

Chief Minister Gowda said his government is taking steps to acquire land near Bangalore airport to establish a software park, an electronic hardware park, and an aerospace park to harness the vast potential in this sector.

“Karnataka is also the first state in the country to promote nano-science and nano-technology. The state has also provided land for the establishment of Indian institute of nano-science and technology, and for the establishment of an international centre for theoretical sciences,” he said.

N.R. Narayana Murthy, a founder and chairman emeritus of Infosys, said there was a need to diversify beyond IT and Bangalore. “We need to diversify our industrial base to other sectors like textile and power,” he said.

Undeterred, state rolls out red carpet to corporate world again

Undeterred, state rolls out red carpet to corporate world again

Mahesh Kulkarni / Chennai/ Bangalore Jun 07, 2012, 00:27 IST

An upbeat Karnataka government is hosting the second edition of the global investors meet (GIM) on June 7 and June 8 at the Bangalore International Exhibition Centre , despite an implementation ratio of a dismal 1.1 per cent of the total investments committed in the first edition of the GIM held on June 3 and June 4, 2010. In a candid admission to the captains of Indian industry on May 10, 2012, state chief minister D V Sadananda Gowda said: “Thirty one projects of the 389 proposals have been implemented so far with an investment of Rs 4,300 crore, while 289 projects with Rs 3.12 lakh crore are in various stages of their implementation.” The government had signed MoUs with 389 companies involving an investment of Rs 3.89 lakh crore in June 2010.

About 55 proposals were in the iron and steel sector and none has materialised. With the steel industry and mining sector mired in scams and legal battles over the last two years after the Supreme Court banned mining of iron ore in the state, investment proposals worth Rs 2.56 lakh crore from global and Indian firms for setting up steel plants and power projects failed to materialise.

“We are doing our best to ensure these projects are executed in the next two years to create jobs and contribute to the socio-economic development of the state,” an unfazed Murugesh R Nirani, minister for large and medium industries, said. Among the 55 global and Indian firms that signed agreements with the state government on June 3 and June 4, 2010, amid much fanfare, were the world’s largest steel maker ArcelorMittal, Posco of South Korea, Surya Vijayanagar Steel Ltd, Bhushan Steel Ltd and Brahmani Industries Karnataka Ltd of the jailed former state minister G Janardhana Reddy, NMDC, Tata Metaliks, Hazira Steel among others. However, the government is now hopeful of exceeding its own target of attracting Rs 5 lakh crore investments this time. The state government, led by Sadananda Gowda has left no stone unturned to woo investors to the state.

Putting the ignoring the simmering political crisis in the ruling BJP government, which completed four years in office on May 30, 2012, the chief minister and industries minister have once again rolled out the red carpet for the global investors. They have made all out efforts to showcase State as an investor-friendly destination in the country in industrial and technology sectors, besides the infrastructure sector spanning power, airports, ports, urban transport, road and rail connectivity. The state high level clearance committee headed by the CM has already cleared 31 projects worth over Rs 1,46,656 crore that will create jobs for about 300,000 people in sectors spanning cement, energy, aerospace, IT, electronics and infrastructure. “The mission of this event is to attract over Rs 5 lakh crore investment, create at least one million jobs and double State Gross Domestic Product by 2020 from the present Rs 5 lakh crore,” Sadananda Gowda said.

Unlike in GIM 2010 when the focus was on the steel and mining sectors, the state industry department has identified 14 sectors, including ICT, electronics, aerospace and defence, automobiles, textiles, pharma and health, power, agro-tech and food processing and tourism and hospitality for GIM 2012, with an employment potential for about one million people. Besides existing investors such as Tatas, Birlas, JSW group, GVK Reddy group, Toyota Kirloskar and Ascendas, about 80 Fortune 500 firms, including Reliance group have evinced interest in investing in the state in growth-oriented sectors, Nirani claimed.

In the run-up to the event, the state government conducted road shows in Mumbai, New Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai and Hyderabad and in Dubai, Singapore and Japan. It was aimed at showcasing its investor-friendly policies with special packages to be doled out case-by-case for attracting investments in specific industries with huge scope for job creation and exports.

As part of the event, the state government is also holding a three-day ‘GIM Expo’ at the BIEC venue, which kicked off on Wednesday to showcase its strengths, infrastructure facilities, pro-active industrial policies, incentives, human capital, land bank and natural resources.

Yadgir is Karnataka's new business destination

Yadgir is Karnataka's new business destination
Manu Aiyappa, TNN | Jun 7, 2012, 08.05PM IST

BANGALORE: Carved out of the erstwhile Gulbarga district, Yadgir, about 426 km from Bangalore has been witnessing an exodus of youth in search of employment over the last decade. But the second edition of Global Investors Meet (GIM) that took off on Thursday promises to reverse this trend sooner or later.

The most Backward Yadgir district is fast emerging as one of the most sought after 'business districts' in Karnataka, if one goes by the investment proposals mooted at the GIM.

The state government had set its sight on roping in Rs 6 lakh crore. Of these Yadgir is expecting investments between Rs 20,000 and Rs 30,000 crore -- highest to any district in Karnataka after Bangalore.

What led to the turn around? Karnataka Small scale industries minister Narsimha Naik (Raju Gouda), who hails from the region said there are two major factors that have encouraged investors to favour Yadgir. One, the government has declared huge tax incentives like investment subsidy, sales tax exemption, etc., for those who set up their investment in this district.

Secondly, he said Yadgir's environment was conducive for investment now. Its strategically located, 160 km from the River Krishna and the River Bhima also runs through the district but still land is largely not irrigated, and hence there is plenty of space for the setting up of large industries.

A senior industries official said the other reason why investors are eyeing Yadgit is because of cheap labour that are locally available. The district has been more or less left untouched by industrialization. Unemployment was rampant since agriculture was the only source of income. Therefore cement and automobile industries are opting to set up shops in the district,'' he added

According to government statistics, Yadgir has been classified as a 'C' category, industrially backward district. Between 2001 and 2012, a total of 11 small industries had been set up in the district entailing an investment of Rs 377 crore. Between 2010 and 2012, at least 41 new industrial units had proposed come up in the district at a cumulative investment between Rs 20,000 crore and Rs 30,000 crore

But some investors are still skeptical that Yadgir would emerge has potential investment destination. The ball is now in the court of the state government. It should focus on creating infrastructure for facilitating industrial climate in the backward districts of the State. No body will invest just for the sake of water and labour. There are other key factors like industrial amenities, connectivity and power,'' said N Pratap Reddy, a small scale industrialist, who is looking forward to invest in Yadgir.

Karnataka wins Rs 37,000-cr investments from Tata, Birla

Karnataka wins Rs 37,000-cr investments from Tata, Birla

The Hindu Business Line

The Karnataka Chief Minister, Mr D. V. Sadananda Gowda, (right) and Mr N. R. Narayana Murthy, Founder and Chairman Emeritus, Infosys, at the inauguration of the Global Investors Meet 2012 in Bangalore on Thursday. — G.R.N. Somashekar

BANGALORE, JUNE 7:


Despite global economic uncertainties and a slowing economy, Karnataka has managed to attract some big-ticket investments at the Global Investment Meet (GIM).


The State Government said it has received 31 FDI proposals and is expected to sign MoUs with close to 400 companies. It expects the total investment committed to exceed Rs 6 lakh crore. The big-ticket investments include Tata Steel's Rs 30,000 crore in nine sectors including a six-million-tonne a year plant at Haveri.


The Aditya Birla Group Chairman, Mr Kumaramangalam Birla, announced investments of Rs 7,000 crore in the State including in a 4 mtpa cement plant (UltraTech) at Rs 2,750 crore and expanding the Grasim Industries' caustic soda plant at Harihara.


The Karnataka Chief Minister, Mr D. V. Sadananda Gowda, said the State had taken some proactive steps to make it the best investment destination.


The Government has constituted the Karnataka ICT group 2020 under the leadership of Mr T. V. Mohandas Pai. This initiative is to increase ICT exports to Rs 4-lakh crore and create an additional 12 lakh jobs by 2020.


Similarly, for other sectors, the Government has draft policies to advance and facilitate investments. Some of these are the Infrastructure Bill, the Special Investment Region Act, the Karnataka State housing policy, and policies for the automobile, aerospace, solar and pharma sectors. Mr Gowda said the investor's needs have been addressed through timely interventions such as the new industrial policy, and policies in the SEZ, electronics hardware, textile and agri-business sectors.


Delivering the special address, the Infosys Chief Mentor, Mr N. R. Narayana Murthy, stressed the need for Karnataka to diversify its industrial base to create jobs. To increase the share of the country's GDP, industry had to create 10 crore jobs over the next decade.


“So, the government should focus on attracting investment and exports, apart from catering to domestic demand and help diversify the industrial base,” he said. For this to happen, the Government policies should attract FDI.

Global Investors's Meet: 7,500 km arterial road to be developed in Karnataka

Manu Aiyappa, TNN | Jun 7, 2012, 10.26PM IST

BANGALORE: For the first time, Karnataka plans to undertake road development projects through viability gap funding (VGP) in order to make them profitable for promoters.

Initially, state plans to upgrade 7500 km of arterial roads in the state through viability gap funding in next two years following approval from the Center. 

The state government intends to involve the private sector in a big way to provide quality roads through VGP scheme. And we are hoping to achieve it at Global Investors Meet,'' S C Khuntia, principal secretary, PWD said.

The proposed project will be executed under public-private partnership model, involving an investment of Rs 5,000 crore. After a pre-bid meeting with interested developers at the GIM, the government has decided to call for the final bidding sooner or later.

The concept of viability gap funding was introduced by the Government of India about five years back to attract promoters for projects which may not immediately be otherwise viable. However, Karnataka struck to its old method of offering land for commercial development to developers that failed to cut ice over the years. The decision to go in for viability funding has been taken to minimize the problems associated with land acquisition,'' PWD minister C M Udasi said.

Like PWD, the cash-starved BBMP too is lobbying hard at the Global Investors meet to offer a dozen of its infrastructure-related projects under the public-private partnership (PPP) mode.

The civic agency which is neck-deep into financial problems, is hoping the investors to plough in over '1,057 crore into the city.

Building of sky-walks with escalators at various spots in Bangalore to help pedestrians cross busy roads and constructing abattoirs are on its list of projects for foreign investment.

The desperation was writ large on faces of BBMP officials at their stall at GIM expo as they were giving away Registration Of Interest (ROI) form to all visitors.

Govt’s sop opera precedes GIM

Govt’s sop opera precedes GIM Bangalore,
June 4, 2012, DHNS: 

Special package of incentives, concessions for projects worth Rs 250 cr and above In an effort to attract investors ahead of the second edition of Global Investors’ Meet (GIM), the State government has extended a special package of incentives and concessions for projects worth Rs 250 crore and above coming up outside Bangalore.

Industries Ministers Murugesh Nirani on Monday told media that the special package would be over and above those already announced under the State Industrial Policy. The package will be offered on case-to-case basis, depending on the sector and the amount of investment proposed. The government has taken a liberal stand on offering incentives for the sake of industrial development in the State, the minister said. He, however, refused to divulge details on the new incentives and concessions that the government has been planning to offer. He only said a high-level committee headed by the Chief Minister will be set up to look into the applications seeking special packages by investors. 

Some of the big ticket companies which signed MoUs with the government in GIM 2010 too have got special incentives and concessions. For instance, Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India have been given 40 per cent value added tax (VAT) repayable by the company to the Government as interest-free loan for up to 10 years for its proposed investment in Narasapura in Kolar district. The company will start repaying the loan from the 11th year. Besides, 95 per cent of CST will be reimbursed to the company for a period of five years and the land registration cost has been completely waived of. 

Principal Secretary to Industries and Commerce department M N Vidyashankar said entrepreneurs always go to the place where they get the maximum benefit. Hence, the government has to offer special packages to attract them. Nirani said Japan International Construction Company (JICC) has evinced interest to implement the proposed high-speed train on Bangalore-Mysore and Hubli-Dharwad corridors in the first phase. A detailed project report will be ready by December this year, he added. 

As many as 55 top industrialists, including N R Narayana Murthy of Infosys, chairperson of Aditya Birla Group Kumaramangalam Birla, President and CEO of General Electronics John Flannery, GVK Group chairperson G V K Reddy, have confirmed their participation in the GIM-II which is scheduled to be held at Bangalore International Exhibition Centre off Tumkur Road on June 7 and 8. Business delegations from about 30 countries are expected to attend the meet, Nirani said. 

Toll-free The Minister said the road connecting to BIEC from Bangalore will be declared toll-free for the convenience of the participants. Steps are being taken to fill potholes on the main thoroughfares of Bangalore. Information about the projects cleared during the two-day event will be immediately posted on the Commerce and Industries department’s website, he added. Manipal Global Education chairperson Mohandas Pai said despite repeated political upheavals, Karnataka continues to be the most sought-after destination for investors because of the availability of quality manpower and good industrial policy.

Karnataka eyes over Rs 20,000 crore investment in MSME

Karnataka eyes over Rs 20,000 crore investment in MSME
6 JUN, 2012, 08.49PM IST, PTI 

BANGALORE: The Karnataka Government is looking at over Rs 20,000 crore investments in micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) sector in this year's two-day Global Investors Meet (GIM), which started here today. "About 8,000 companies are participating in GIM 2012 and we are looking at over Rs 20,000 crore investments in MSME sector," a top government official said. 

The meet was inaugurated by Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda. Best part of the current GIM is that many participants are cluster-based companies like plastic, packaging, machine tools, medical equipment, precision engineering, areospace and pharma among others, the official told reporters. 

Companies from Mysore have committed an investment of Rs 12,000 crore and those from Belgaum Rs 2,000 crore, he said, adding Rs 4,000 crore investments would come from companies based in Hubli-Dharwad and Rs 1,000 crore from Dakshin Kannada district. Industries in and around Bangalore have committed an investment of above Rs 5,000 crore, the official said. 

Besides, there was good participation from states like Gujarat, Punjab, Kerala, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Bihar, Chhattisgarh and Odisha among others, an official, who declined to be quoted, said. More than 30 countries including Italy, Japan, Mexico, UK Cannada, Taiwan and Germany, among others, are participating in the meet, the official said. Some of the key participants in the expo are JSW Group, Honda two-wheelers, Grasim, Suzlon, Gail, Zuari Cements, SBI, Tata Motors, Toyota Motors, L&T, Indian Oil Company, HAL, NAL, DRDO, Mangalore Refineries and Petrochemicals Limited.