KCCI members welcome new initiatives

Hubballi: Karnataka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) has welcomed the State Budget.After watching the live telecast of the budget presented by the CM Siddaramaiah, KCCI office bearers observed in a press release that despite the pressure of allocating funds for guarantee schemes, the CM has mobilised resources for the development of the state and announced several new initiatives.They said in a press release that the revision of compensation for those affected by the height increase of the Almatti dam to Rs 30 lakh per acre for dry land and Rs 40 lakh per acre for irrigated land is commendable. The allocation of Rs 600 crore for railway projects in the state and special funding for tourism development under the Gadag, Kappatagudda, Lakkundi tourism circuit brought happiness to the people of this region. The announcement of establishing a Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research Heart Care Centre in Hubballi at a cost of Rs 236 crore, and an allocation of Rs 10 crore to the Industrial Exhibition Authority, brought great satisfaction. "It is expected that a share of this grant will be allotted to the Hubballi–Dharwad Multi-Purpose Exhibition Centre at Amaragol, maintained by the Chamber," they added.The decision to establish a Silk Park in Haveri and the govt's plan to set up farmers' malls to benefit ryots is a welcome move. The proposal to establish agricultural malls through the National Cooperative Consumers' Federation of India so that all agricultural products can be made available under one roof is also appreciable, they said.Approval was also given for a 450-bed multi-specialty hospital in Karwar at a cost of Rs198 crore. This budget appears to give priority to North Karnataka and Coastal Karnataka, geographically benefiting all sections of society.The announcement by the chief minister to allocate Rs 600 crore for land acquisition of 1,000 acres for the Dharwad Industrial Node, with Rs 200 crore earmarked in the current financial year, is a welcome step. Recently, when the KCCI met the chief minister and submitted pre-budget suggestions, the Chamber requested the govt to implement an action plan under the Beyond Bengaluru concept to generate employment opportunities for youth and encourage investment in Hubballi–Dharwad and North Karnataka. The CM responded positively by mentioning this aspect in his budget, which brought great satisfaction to industries in this region.KCCI president GK Adappagoudar, vice-presidents Praveen Agadi, Siddeshwar Kammar, Veeranna Kallur, honorary secretary Uday Revankar, CA YM Khatawkar, members Subhash Bagalkoti, CG Dharwadshettar, Brahmakumar Bilagi, and others were present.