The Hindu Business Line : PM urged to implement MoU with ONGC for Karnataka SEZ

THE Karnataka Industry Minister, Mr P.G.R. Sindhia, has said that the State Government has urged the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, to implement the memorandum of understanding signed between it and ONGC on the establishment of special economic zone (SEZ), without any changes.

Speaking to newspersons in Mangalore on Sunday, he said that the Chief Minister, Mr Dharam Singh, had met the Prime Minister in New Delhi recently requesting him to implement the original MoU signed between ONGC and the Karnataka Government, as there were doubts over ONGC's investment in the project among a section of society.

He added that the Government has taken several steps to encourage SSIs, including the release of subsidy due to them.

Of the Rs 340-crore subsidy pending for the past six years, more than Rs 100 crore has been cleared.

By March 2005, Rs 120 crore will be released.

The remaining subsidy amount will be released during April-June.

Stating that SSIs and tiny industries help generate more employment, he said that the Government has sought the help of banks to encourage them.

Steps have been initiated for the rejuvenation of Government sector units such as Karnataka Leather Industries Development Corporation (Lidkar) and Coir Board.

The Government is also taking steps to rejuvenate khadi and village industries in the State.

Mr Sindhia said that the Rs 10-crore subsidy, which was pending in this sector for the past few years, has been released.

The Prime Minister's Rozgar Yojana would be given a new dimension, he added.

Though the scheme can provide jobs to more than 25,000 people, it has not met the set objectives. As the recovery is less, steps have been taken to revamp it.

IT in Mangalore

The Minister said that Infosys has shown interest in expanding its operations in Mangalore.

Following this, the Government has identified 248 acres at Pajir and Kairangala villages in Mangalore.

Preliminary notifications have been issued for the acquisition of the land.

Many other IT companies have shown interest in setting up units in Mangalore, he added.

The Minister said that he would inspect the construction of the second runway at Mangalore Airport on Monday.

He had met the Union Civil Aviation Minister, Mr Praful Patel, in New Delhi recently, and urged him to speed up the completion of the terminal building of the airport.

Mr Patel is likely to visit Mangalore on January 24 to inspect the work, he added.

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