The Hindu Business Line : Coastal Agenda Task Force awaits Karnataka Govt nod to submit report

THE Coastal Agenda Task Force (CATF) — an advisory body set up by the Karnataka Government for the comprehensive development of coastal districts of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi — is ready with its final report.

However, it is waiting for the Government nod for submitting the report.

Though the Government initially set up Mangalore agenda taskforce in 2001 with focus on Mangalore city, later the focus was shifted to Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts paving the way for the formation of CATF.

Mr N. Vinay Hegde of Nitte Education Trust is the Chairman of CATF.

The taskforce has sub-committees on infrastructure development, urban development, agriculture and allied sector development, social and human development, information technology development, industrial and environment, and tourism development.

The sub-committee on industry and environment of CATF, headed by Mr Murari, former CMD of Kudremukh Iron Ore Company Ltd, is likely to focus its recommendations on major aspects such as setting up of a single window exit agency to ensure the smooth transition of industrialists who unable to carry on with the industrial activity; and setting up of a coastal environment agency to monitor the environmental impact assessment of industries in the region.

Mr Giridhar Prabhu, Secretary of the CATF Sub-committee on Industry and Environment, told Business Line that the closure of an industry would affect more than 28 agencies connected with that particular unit.

He said that the single window exit agency should comprise representatives from those agencies, banks and financial institutions, and local bodies dealing with the industry opting for exit.

On handling issues related to environment, Mr Prabhu said that the Government should form a special agency — Karavali/Coastal Environment Agency.

This agency could be monitored from the office of the Additional Chief Secretary or the Development Commissioner, he said.

Such an agency should have the credibility to monitor the environmental impact assessment of major industries in the region.

The agency should upgrade information on the industries of the region and their environmental impact.

It should give a systematic and objective view of the development of industry and environmental condition to the public, he added.

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