Karnataka to establish 200-acre Semiconductor Park in new KWIN city
Bengaluru (PTI): Recognising the growing importance of advanced industrial sectors, the Karnataka government will establish a 200-acre semiconductor park in the upcoming KWIN (Knowledge, Wellbeing, and Innovation) city near here, Minister for Large and Medium Industries M B Patil said on Tuesday.
The park will be fully equipped with all necessary infrastructure and facilities required by companies in this domain and will serve as a major innovation hub for the semiconductor industry at both the national and state levels.
The Minister made the announcement at the inaugural session of the three-day Bengaluru Tech Summit, which began at the Bengaluru International Exhibition Centre.
"The Department of Large and Medium Industries has prioritised attracting investments from leading technology companies and major anchor investors. The government aims to channel such investments into various industrial segments, including drones, semiconductor devices, and solar energy. At the same time, the State is also giving serious attention to Industry 5.0 and other modern industrial models," Patil said.
According to the minister, for industries to grow and for Karnataka to remain a preferred destination of investors, a strong research and development ecosystem is essential.
Karnataka is home to over 800 R&D centres, more than 100 chip-design firms, and 18,300 start-ups.
"These centres are engaged in advanced fields such as artificial intelligence, deep tech, quantum computing, and space-tech. Of the 5,000 acres earmarked for the proposed KWIN City, ample space will be reserved for R&D facilities, supported by a well-developed ecosystem."
"We have also demarcated a dedicated Semiconductor Park of 200 acres with all facilities – this will act as the centre of all semiconductor innovation in the state and soon, the country," he added.
Noting that several technology companies in the state are actively working in AI, ML (machine learning), quantum technologies, robotics, advanced manufacturing, and sustainable innovation, the Minister said to encourage such enterprises, the state government has allocated Rs 600 crore.
Karnataka is determined to retain its leadership in both deep science and frontier technologies. In this direction, a Centre of Excellence for AI and Quantum Computing is being planned in Dharwad, he said, adding that industries are also collaborating with educational institutions in areas such as biotechnology and cyber security.
The State has adopted forward-looking policies in ESDM (Electronics System Design & Manufacturing), transportation systems, biotechnology, and start-up promotion, Patil said adding Karnataka is also working closely with countries such as Japan, the United States, Germany, and Singapore.
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National Herald case: Shivakumar to seek time next week to appear before Delhi police
New Delhi/Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Monday said he will ask for time from Delhi police to appear before them next week, to provide required information as part of the probe into the National Herald case.
He said he will seek time after the ongoing winter session of Karnataka legislature ends on December 19. He will also ask the Delhi police to provide him the FIR copy.
Shivakumar, who is in the national capital, had earlier said that he will appear before the Delhi police on Monday. But, he postponed the plan in order to rush back to Karnataka to participate in the last rites of veteran Congress leader Shamanuru Shivashankarappa, scheduled later in the day in Davangere.
"I had to go (to appear before the Delhi police), but I have to go back urgently. I'm asking them for time, stating that I will come next week," Shivakumar told reporters in New Delhi.
"They (Delhi police) have not attached the FIR copy while issuing notice to me. I need FIR copy, because we had already given all the required replies to the ED. I don't know what the FIR says, I only read in papers. They have given notice, I will ask for a FIR copy. I will come next week after the Assembly session."
The Delhi Police had issued a notice to Shivakumar, who is also the Karnataka Congress chief, seeking financial and transactional details as part of its probe into the National Herald case.
The notice issued by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) states that Shivakumar is "supposed to be having vital information" pertaining to the National Herald case registered on October 3 this year, against top Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi.
In the notice dated November 29, the EOW had asked Shivakumar to appear before it or provide the requested information by December 19 latest.
Investigators have sought details about his personal background, his association with the Congress party, and a complete break up of funds allegedly transferred by him or associated entities to Young Indian.
To a question on meeting AICC General Secretaries K C Venugopal and Randeep Singh Surjewala, amid the ongoing power tussle between him and CM Siddaramaiah over the Chief Minister post, Shivakumar said when he comes to Delhi, he usually meets every one.
"Whether it is Surjewala or Kharge (AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge) or Venugopal, I will meet everyone. During lunch yesterday I met Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi. I have met everyone. What's wrong?" he asked.
Shivakumar was in Delhi to take part in Congress' "Vote Chori" rally on Sunday, and had also participated in the lunch organised by the party for its leaders.
Responding to a question, whether any meeting is planned with leaders today, the Deputy CM said, he and Kharge will be travelling together to Karnataka, to pay last respects to Shamanuru Shivashankarappa.
Asked if he will seek time for a separate meeting with Congress leadership including Rahul Gandhi, during the next visit to Delhi, Sivakumar said, "such things will be there between us in the party.... you don't worry."
