Maharashtra investment proposal surprises NK industrialists

BELAGAVI: A proposal by industrialists from Maharashtra to invest in Karnataka after meeting major and medium industries minister Jagadish Shettar in Belagavi on Wednesday has taken the industrial fraternity of North Karnataka by surprise.
Industrialists in the state have expressed surprise over the development and say Maharashtra provides better facilities to investors than Karnataka. It is also surprising because they have made an investment proposal when the industrial sector in the border districts of Karnataka has already slowed down.
A delegation of about 40 industrialists from Maharashtra representing seven industrial organizations met Jagadish Shettar on Wednesday and expressed their interest to invest in Karnataka. They sought land at a cheap rate, uninterrupted power and assurance of not hiking power tariff for the next five years.
Karnataka Small Scale Industries Association (KSSIA) president Basavaraj Javali told TOI, “It’s surprising to listen about the interest of Maharashtra industrialists to invest in Karnataka as a lot of industries from Karnataka, including foundries of Belagavi, have already shifted to Maharashtra, especially Kolhapur district due to facilities that state is providing.”
“Apart from providing land at low prices, Maharashtra is giving 70% subsidy to investors based on quantum of investment. Industrialists from Maharashtra had moved a similar proposal four years ago after which the Maharashtra government announced several facilities and perks to the industrial fraternity. So, the recent instance of Maharashtra industrialists showing interest to invest in Karnataka seems to be an attempt to create a platform to bargain with their state government for more perks,” Javali said.
Belgaum Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) former president Satish Tendulkar said, “Maharashtra has really created a good atmosphere for the industrial fraternity to invest, especially the single window system to get clearances of 18 government departments. In Karnataka, it takes more than six months to get clearances from each one department to set-up an industry.”
Belagavi Small Scale Industries Association president Rohan Juvali said, “If the state government gives similar facilities that industries in Maharashtra are getting, there is no need to search for investors outside.”