Stakeholders, industrialists present wish-list to CM

Stakeholders, industrialists present wish-list to CM

TNN, 11 February 2010, 10:53pm IST

HUBLI: Chief minister B S Yeddyurappa got a flood of suggestions and requests from various trade bodies, in a pre-budget interaction with stakeholders here on Tuesday.

While sports goods traders wanted tax to be reduced from 12.5% to 4%, agricultural commission agents found a tax of 1.5% too heavy. Residents' associations wanted flyovers in Hubli-Dharwad, while transporters sought the development of ports in Karwar and Kumta. The child development academy wanted land for buildings and senior citizens wanted to travel free in buses without being asked to produce age proof.

Karnataka Chamber of Commerce and Industries (KCCI) president M C Hiremath urged the CM to strengthen the single-window agency for industrial clearance. "The only thing it has accomplished is deciding on allocation of land for industrial units. Entrepreneurs have to approach other departments separately for licence, permits, inspections and no-objection certificates. This should change," he said.

KCCI demanded rationalization of tax structure, lower tax rates and increased infrastructure investment in north Karnataka. He also suggested construction of an iron ore dumping yard near Devikoppa near Kalaghatagi, to avoid entry of ore-laden lorries in the twin cities.

Karnataka Handloom Development Corporation sought a bail-out package and assured market for handloom produce. Lorry owners' association sought reduction in the price of diesel, a permanent truck terminus, and ring roads connecting all major highways around Hubli and Dharwad.

Cotton Merchants' Association president V P Linganagoudar sought government's intervention in promoting cotton cultivation and trade. He sought the establishment of a cotton zone on the lines of the steel zone near Bellary.

BVB College principal Ashok Shettar demanded that Hubli be turned into an attractive industrial investment destination. He suggested setting up of a power plant using gas from the Mumbai-Bangalore pipeline.

Hotel Owners' Association representatives revealed that nearly 70% of hotels were not registered under VAT. They also sought exemption from maintaining accounts for hotels that had a turnover of up to Rs 20 lakh.

Writer-activist Patil Puttappa urged Yeddyurappa to ensure equitable development of all regions to keep away divisive forces from disrupting peace in the state. He asked the government to share the costs of railway projects, build a four-lane road between Hubli and Dharwad, and fill vacant posts of teachers in colleges, especially in the backward areas.

Yeddyurappa promised that he would study the demands before presenting the budget.

Earlier, rural development and panchayat raj minister Jagadish Shettar said it was the first time that a pre-budget consultation was being held outside Bangalore.