Taking a clue from Chinese cities and manufacturing hubs like Foshan, Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy has proposed to establish manufacturing units to produce goods from electronic toys and bathroom fittings to mobile dismantling units and solar-powered products.
This ambitious plan will be implemented under a scheme titled ‘Compete with China’. As per the plan, spare parts will be manufactured at the village level, assembled in taluks and sold in malls that will be opened to market them.
Basavaraj S. Javali, president, Karnataka Small Scale Industries Association (Kassia), said, “The State government’s move to promote industries on the lines of China is a positive step.”
As per the budget plan, Kalaburagi district will be developed as Bharath Solar district, which will produce panels, inverters and capacitors for the solar energy sector. Under the Compete with China scheme, Mr. Kumaraswamy has proposed a plan to facilitate the production of LED lights in Chitradurga district.
Bathroom tiles in Hassan
The home of the chief minister, Hassan district, will be a 'hub' for manufacturing bathroom and floor tiles, sanitary goods. The budget states that currently these goods are flooding the Indian market from China.
With the goal of cornering the toy market and wresting it from the Chinese, Koppal district has been chosen to manufacture battery-operated toys while Chikkaballapur will be geared to exploit the lucrative mobile phone components sector.
Tumakuru gets sporty
Tumakuru, the native district of Home Minister G. Parameshwara, will receive an investment of ₹2,000 crore for the manufacturing of sports and fitness goods. The investment will be done over a period of four years, and the move will create 1 lakh job opportunities, said the CM.
The State government proposes to establish an Integrated Circuit Board manufacturing unit in Mysuru. The budget states that at present 80% of the world’s ICBs and chips are being imported from Taiwan.
The budget proposes a ₹2,000 crore capital for companies that come forward to manufacture agricultural components in Bidar district. The move is aimed at manufacturing equipment which are suitable for indigenous crops and agriculture practices.
The State government has earmarked ₹500 crore to impart training in the seven districts. The budget states that 8 lakh employment opportunities will be generated in each district, and ₹14,000 crore investment will be provided by the government in the coming years.