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.