K'taka leads the way in many sectors with attractive policies to promote industries: FM Sitharaman
Bengaluru, Nov 2: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday batted for investments in Karnataka saying that the state is a leader in many sectors and has attractive policies to promote industries.
The Union Minister, who is a Rajya Sabha member from Karnataka, said investors are willing to come to the state because of the record of Karnataka and Bengaluru in facilitating industries.
"Karnataka is a leader in many sectors. First in renewable energy, because 63 per cent of all our installed capacity lies in renewable energy. First in electrical maintenance, innovation, home to about seven plus auto Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) -- more than seven of them are here and 50-plus auto component manufacturers are here," Sitharaman said addressing the gathering at the launch of the three-day Global Investors' Meet titled 'Invest Karnataka'.
The industry consultative process which happens in Karnataka is one which is extensive, the Finance Minister said.
Quoting Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, Sitharaman said that initially when the GIM was planned, the state government's expectations and target of investment was somewhere in the range of Rs 5 lakh crore.
However, it went upwards to about Rs 7.5 lakh crore, of which Rs 2.8 crore related proposals have already been cleared, she said.
"That is the pro-active nature of this government being led by Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai and it is at that speed, which gives confidence to the investors," Sitharaman pointed out.
She highlighted that the MoUs are coming up in the sunrise areas, including green hydrogen. Sitharaman said the state government is making sure that the corridors are coming up for industries and the ports are connected.
According to her, the state's new Information Technology Policy 2020-25 is a big step forward as it also looks at electronic system-defined manufacturing and telecom services in six clusters.
Further, the industrial clusters are not just going to be located in Bengaluru but outside the city in places like Mangaluru, Tumakuru, Mysuru, Hubballi, Shivamogga and Kalaburagi.
"The 'one district, one product' is something which the state is moving at a rapid pace. Land reforms are happening. Similarly, the renewable energy policy of the state is something which I think is very rewarding and as a result, you have a lot of investments happening in the renewable energy area as well," Sitharaman said.
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Toxic waste from 1984 Bhopal gas tragedy to be transported today
Indore: The process of transporting toxic waste from the 1984 Bhopal gas tragedy began early on Sunday. Approximately 337 tonnes of hazardous waste will be moved 225 km to Pithampur, where it will be incinerated and safely disposed of.
Director of Bhopal Gas Tragedy Relief and Rehabilitation, Swatantra Kumar Singh, has already written to senior officials in Indore, Bhopal, and Dhar, urging them to prepare for the operation. Several GPS-equipped trucks have been deployed to transport the waste.
On December 3, the Madhya Pradesh High Court directed that this dangerous waste be disposed of within four weeks. The toxic materials, stored at the now-closed Union Carbide factory, had remained untreated for decades. The court criticised officials for the delay, stating, "Are you waiting for another disaster?"
The waste disposal process involves two stages: incineration and secure burial. Once transported, the waste will be handled by Pithampur Industrial Waste Management Private Limited, located near Tarapur village in Pithampur. An initial test incineration of 35.6 tonnes will be conducted to determine the safest and most efficient method. Sources indicate that trial runs will incinerate the waste at rates of 135 kg/hour, 80 kg/hour, and 270 kg/hour. Based on the results, the remaining waste will be disposed of accordingly.
