Karnataka

Industry unhappy with official apathy

Belgaum: The Belgaum Chamber of Commerce and Industries (BCCI) has expressed dissatisfaction over the “callous attitude” of the Government and officials in the Department of Industries towards the development of industrial areas here.

It has resolved to take up the matter with the higher authorities hoping to get them pay attention to certain core issues coming in the way of the expeditious progress of industrial activities.

Though Belgaum has maintained its position as the second highest contributor to the Exchequer after Bangalore in the State, there has been no serious effort to improve and develop infrastructure here.

In view of the shortage of space in the existing industrial areas, a demand has been made for a new industrial area.

However, no concrete step has been taken in that direction.

The BCCI and representatives from trading organisations met and discussed the “continued neglect” of industrial development on the part of Government and the lethargic attitude of the officials concerned.

They decided to take up certain long pending issues with the higher authorities.

Given that there was no space for accommodating fresh industrial ventures or expanding the existing industries, a new industrial park with proper infrastructure needs to be established at the earliest.

The Government, particularly the district administration, is expected to look into the issue seriously and acquire at least 500 acres of land for the industrial park.

A single window agency failed to live up to the expectations due to lack of application and seriousness on the part of the officials concerned.

Helpless industrialists have now decided to approach the concerned with a proposal to streamline the agency and make it a new tool for industrial development here.

The BCCI says that meetings of the agency should be held on its premises in the Udyambag Industrial Area. The officials concerned should guide and provide proper information to industrialists, it adds.

Though work on installing a 110-kV substation for the industrial area in Udyambag was taken up about five years ago, the progress has been tardy.

On the other hand, the foundry industry was facing major problems and was concerned over the increasing pollution level as there was no proper site for dumping industrial waste and sand.

In recognition of Belgaum’s foundry industry, which was of international standards, the Union Government had sanctioned a foundry cluster project.

However, nothing was done to provide land for dumping industrial waste, which only resulted in environmental problems.

Along with these issues, according to BCCI vice-president and chairman, Industrial Committee, Bharat Deshpande, improvement of telecommunication services by Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited and water supply, will be taken up with the higher authorities in the Department of Commerce and Industries.

© Copyright 2000 - 2009 The Hindu