Minister says govt. focus is on drawing investments to cities other than Bengaluru, including Mysuru

Minister for Major Industries, IT and BT K.J. George on Tuesday said industrial investment to the tune of Rs. 4,000 crore was in the offing in Mysuru and proposals submitted to the government by various industries for establishing their units could, if approved, generate around 35,000 jobs.

The Minister, who toured the industrial areas in Mysuru and Nanjangud on Tuesday, said Asian Paints was investing Rs. 2,500 crore on its plant and nine other major industries, including Carlsberg (Rs. 130 crore), PepsiCo (Rs. 130 crore) and Parle Industries (Rs. 600 core), were establishing their units. Three other proposals are under consideration, he added.

Cheera Breweries, Ken Woods, Container Corporation of India, Rucha Engineering, Mindas Sai, and Metal Man Auto PL are the other industrial groups setting up plants in the district, the Minister said.

Speaking to reporters after chairing a meeting with representatives of various industry bodies and officials at the Deputy Commissioner’s office here, Mr. George said Mysuru was a key industrial hub after Bengaluru and the government has put emphasis on developing the industrial environment here to attract more investments.

So far, around 1,754 industry groups have developed on 5,871 acres of land in and around Mysuru. Hebbal Industrial Area is the biggest industrial area in Mysuru, with 487 units developed on 1,603 acres. Till June, 34,143 units were operational with 2,22,981 employees.

According to the Minister, the State government has chalked out a roadmap for developing tier II cities industrially, taking the focus away from Bengaluru. “We are ready to provide more incentives to industries wishing to invest in tier II cities across the State,” Mr. George said.

He said work on developing a Women Entrepreneurs Park at Thandya Industrial Area has commenced on about 50 acres, and around 25 acres would be allotted for developing a Textile Park.

The Minister said officials were now identifying lands allotted for industrial development which have not been used for the purpose even after several years since allotment. He said notices would be issued to the players concerned to either begin industrial development or prepare for government reclaiming of the land.

On Film City

On the land identified for developing a Film City near Mysuru, Mr. George said the 110 acres identified were being acquired by the Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board on behalf of the government. “Once it is acquired, the next process will begin,” he said.

Referring to the issue of reviving the closed Falcon Tyres and the fate of its workers, the Minister said the government would look into its options if nobody comes forward by October this year to restore the factory and resume production. “The matter will also be discussed with Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy to find an early solution,” he said.