Date:25/11/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/11/25/stories/2006112519620400.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Meeting with industrialists soon

Staff Reporter

Peenya Industries Association submits memorandum to Industries Minister Long-pending demands regarding Peenya Industrial Area to be sorted out in December

BANGALORE: Minister for Medium and Large Industries Katta Subramanya Naidu on Friday announced that a meeting with industrialists would be convened in the first week of December to sort out some of their long-pending demands regarding the Peenya Industrial Area.

The announcement came after office-bearers of the Peenya Industries Association submitted a memorandum to the Minister highlighting the problems faced by industrialists there. Mr. Subramanya Naidu said that officials of the Industries Department would attend the meeting. It would try to address the issues raised by the industrialists.

When his attention was drawn to the imposition of stamp duty and conversion fee, he said that it was a policy decision.

A discussion could be held before giving exemption to certain industries, he added.

Mr. Subramanya Naidu also announced that he would consider a special housing policy for the employees of garment units in Bangalore.

On the demand for extension of industrial estate in Solur, near Kunigal, he said that the land acquisition process was under way and promised industrialists that land would be allotted to those who had enrolled as members. The idea of having a residential township in Solur would also be considered, he added.

Minister for Health and Family Welfare R. Ashok and association president P.S. Srikanta Datta were present.

Earlier, the association sought the setting up of a Peenya Industrial Township Authority. The association has demanded the establishment of a common effluent treatment plant, a hospital in the industrial area and extension of the stamp duty exemption to Zone A. The memorandum opposed officials insisting that traders obtain trade licence from civic bodies.