Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Large and Medium Industries Minister Murugesh Nirani on Wednesday said all major cities in the state will have airports and land acquisition process will begin soon.

He also said the government will build permanent helipads in all the district headquarters.

"Airports will be constructed in all the major cities in Karnataka. We will start the process of land acquisition to build airports soon. Widening domestic air connectivity is crucial for industrial development, tourism and other sectors in the region," Nirani said.

Increased regional connectivity and air passenger traffic will help spur economic activities.

The Minister was speaking at the Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry's (FKCCI) Export Excellence Awards ceremony here.

Nirani said, in an effort to enhance rapid transportation and movement of people, the government will build permanent helipads in all the district headquarters.

"Government will build permanent helipads in all the district headquarters. A dry port will come up in Hassan district and Karwar port will be developed further," he said.

Noting that Karnataka's exports across the sectors are increasing manifold, the Minister said the state has abundant opportunities, skill and capacity to excel in the global export market.

"We are no. 1 in software exports contributing 40 per cent of India's exports and a leading player in manufacturing and trade exports. We have made a mark in aerospace, automobile, readymade garments, cotton yarn, silk, pharma, food products, minerals, marine products, handicrafts among others," he said.

Further elaborating on enhancing exports, Nirani said Karnataka is aiming for greater share in India's exports.

"Our government is keen to make Karnataka a global manufacturing hub. We are encouraging manufacturing companies and exporters to possess core competence, cutting-edge technology and become an integral part of global supply chains. We have been encouraging our industries including MSME sector, start-ups and exporters with many sops in an attempt to make India self-reliant in every sector," he added.

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Jaipur (PTI): Bikaner BJP Minority Morcha district president Usman Ghani, who expressed displeasure with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent remarks in Rajasthan, was on Wednesday expelled from the party for "tarnishing" its image.

Ghani, while talking to a news channel recently in New Delhi, had said that the BJP was going to lose three-four Lok Sabha seats out of 25 seats in Rajasthan.

He also condemned Modi's remarks regarding Muslims during election rallies in the state.

When asked about the remarks of Modi regarding Muslims, Ghani had said that being a Muslim, he was disappointed at what the prime minister said.

He said that when he "goes to Muslims to seek votes" for the BJP, the community people talk about the kind of remarks made by the PM and "look for answers" from him.

He also said that the Jat community is angry with the BJP in the state and they have voted against the party in Churu and other constituencies.

Ghani had also said that he was not afraid if the party takes any action against him for what he was saying.

After a video of Ghani surfaced on social media in which he is talking to a news channel reporter, BJP state disciplinary committee chairman Onkar Singh Lakhawat said that an attempt was made by Usman Ghani to "tarnish" the image of party in the media.

"The party took cognizance of the act of Usman Ghani to tarnish its image and expelled him from the primary membership of the party for six years, considering it a breach of discipline," Lakhawat said in a statement.

Bikaner Lok Sabha seat went to polls in the first phase on April 19.

While addressing a rally in Rajasthan's Banswara, PM Modi on Sunday had suggested that if the Congress comes to power, it would "redistribute" wealth to Muslims. He alleged that the Congress plans to give the people's hard-earned money and valuables to the "infiltrators" and "those who have more children".

The remarks have triggered a backlash from several opposition parties.