Odisha CM backs PM's call for simultaneous polls in country
Bhubaneswar, June 26: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday supported Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call for holding simultaneous parliamentary and assembly elections in the country.
"Elections are essential in democracy. We are elected to work for the people. When elections are held throughout the year, it affects the development works. Therefore, we support the suggestion of the Prime Minister for simultaneous elections. This will serve the country well," said the Chief Minister.
The Prime Minister had urged all parties to consider this suggestion of holding simultaneous polls by rising above political considerations.
Modi cited various reasons, including huge expenditure, utilisation of government staff and disruption of education, in the conduct of separate polls.
Odisha will face both general and assembly polls in 2019.
Law Commission Chairman Justice B.S. Chauhan has invited Patnaik, who is also President of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), to attend a meeting on July 7-8 in Delhi to share valuable thoughts and suggestions on holding simultaneous Lok Sabha and Assembly polls in the country.
"I will request you to kindly participate in the interaction and share your valuable thoughts and suggestions, which could enable us in weighing the pros and cons of the subject," said Chauhan.
Sources said BJD MP Pinaki Mishra will attend the meeting.
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Karnataka fast-tracks investment approvals, cuts red tape across key clearances: Minister Patil
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Minister M B Patil on Saturday said the state government has fast-tracked approvals for investment projects and taken measures to cut red tape.
He said that since 2022, Karnataka has approved 2,028 projects worth Rs 5.11 lakh crore, which could create 7.16 lakh jobs.
Of these, Rs 69,564 crore has already been realised, generating 1.06 lakh jobs, he added.
“Karnataka fast-tracks approvals, cuts red tape,” the Minister for Large & Medium Industries said.
“Clear results of our government’s push to speed up approval processes are now evident. Not only have investment agreements been secured, but effective implementation is also underway,” he said in a post on X.
He added that simplified and swift approval processes are boosting investor confidence and providing greater impetus to industrial growth across the state.
“Karnataka’s investment-friendly environment is further strengthened by its culture of ease of doing business,” he said.
Noting that Karnataka is fast-tracking approvals and aligning departments and districts for on-ground delivery, the minister said: “We have overhauled 18 key approvals, cutting land use change clearance time from 120 to 45 days, fire NOC from 60 to 21 days, factory plan approvals from 30 to 14 days, and electrical approvals to just 10 days.”
In a competitive landscape, Karnataka is acting decisively to ensure faster decisions, fewer delays, and a truly pro-industry ecosystem, he added.
