Minister Patil chairs industry meetings to chart growth for key sectors in Karnataka
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Minister M B Patil on Tuesday chaired meetings with industry representatives from the aerospace and defence, machine tools, auto/EV, and green energy sectors to discuss sector growth and government support measures.
The meetings were attended by leading industrialists and their representatives, with some participating virtually.
Speaking on the occasion, the minister for Large and Medium Industries said Karnataka is at the forefront of the country’s aerospace and defence sectors.
He noted that Suzuki and Toyota plan to launch aerial taxi services in Japan by 2028, with Bengaluru-based Sasmos supplying electrical equipment for the project.
Industrialists suggested introducing similar “fly-taxi” services in Karnataka through an appropriate policy, which Patil said would be examined seriously.
The minister highlighted the need to establish testing centres and Common Facility Centres for the aerospace and defence industries and assured that these facilities would be provided.
Suggestions were also made to prepare a comprehensive roadmap for sector growth.
Karnataka has urged the Central Government to approve Defence Corridor projects in the Bengaluru North–Kolar–Chikkaballapur and Dharawada–Vijayapura–Belagavi regions.
Industrialists also suggested a corridor between Bengaluru and Mysuru, Patil said.
He said Karnataka aims to become a hub for defence electronics manufacturing, with plans to establish a 200-acre Defence Electronics Park and a 100-acre Avionics and Sensor Park.
These projects will be implemented once the Special Investment Region is operational, and land availability will not be an issue.
On the machine tools sector, Patil said the industry has recorded an annual turnover of Rs 36,500 crore and is witnessing steady growth.
Large-scale exhibitions have increased demand, and the state must strengthen its capabilities to develop control systems for heavy machinery. One testing unit is already operational in Bengaluru, with another planned for Tumakuru. Expansion of vocational training institutes in industrial areas is also underway.
In the Auto and EV sector, Vision Group members highlighted the need for a network of dry ports and more EV charging stations across the state.
Patil noted that the Tata Group is manufacturing EV buses in Dharawada for nationwide supply. Plans for mini excavator production and export facilitation were also discussed, along with the establishment of a testing facility for two-wheeler EVs.
For the Green Energy sector, the group emphasised the need for a suitable policy on battery-based energy storage and the establishment of data centres.
Patil assured that the government will seriously consider all suggestions and respond positively.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Students protest against ABVP members after vandalism at APU over Kunan Poshpora discussion
Bengaluru: Hours after Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) members allegedly vandalised Azim Premji University premises on Tuesday, hundreds of students gathered in the campus to protest against the alleged violence.
According to a report by Maktoob, the vandalism is linked to a discussion on the 35th anniversary of the Kunan Poshpora mass rape organised by members of the student collective Spark Reading Circle to mark the anniversary of the alleged mass rape of Kashmiri women in Kunan and Poshpora villages on February 23, 1991.
The discussion was initially scheduled for 6 pm and later rescheduled to 8:30 pm.
Quoting students present on campus, Maktoob reported that ABVP members allegedly assaulted a Muslim student and vandalised university property.
In a separate statement issued by All India Students Association (AISA) condemned the incident.
“We congratulate the students of APU who came out united to resist the ABVP-RSS onslaught on our campus,” the statement read.
Students told the portal that the university’s name board was defaced during the incident, with the words “Ban Spark” written on it.
According to students who spoke to Maktoob, cadres of the Hindutva student organisation ABVP allegedly assaulted a Muslim student and vandalised the university’s name board in an attempt to disrupt the event.
AISA also alleged that “they (ABVP) members tried to intimidate AISA comrades and participants.”
A student who witnessed the events said that one student was physically attacked and that the incident prompted hundreds of students to gather in protest.
Videos circulated among students showed groups raising slogans against what they described as intimidation and violence on campus, while demanding action against those involved.
Students quoted by the portal said the event was planned as an academic discussion to reflect on justice, memory, and accountability in relation to the Kunan Poshpora case, which remains a sensitive issue with survivors continuing to seek justice. They said tensions escalated after opposition from ABVP members, eventually leading to the alleged violence.
The gathering continued late into the night, with students asserting their right to organise discussions within the campus without fear.
In a statement issued by students of APU, it was alleged that ABVP members entered the campus without permission and damaged university property in an attempt to silence a student-led discussion.
The statement accessed by the Maktoob said the incident amounted to an attack on academic freedom and democratic dissent, alleging that ABVP members vandalised property, assaulted a student, and intimidated organisers and participants.
The student who was assaulted was taken to a hospital for treatment and later filed a First Information Report (FIR) against ABVP members.
In the meantime, students also criticised the role of the police during the incident.
In their statement, they alleged that police personnel present at the site did not intervene while the vandalism and forced entry took place. They claimed no immediate effort was made to stop the group or calm the situation, calling the police response deeply concerning. Students also remarked that rules often cited regarding protest restrictions were not applied in this case.
“ABVP members suddenly began protesting on the campus, following which a few students were taken into preventive custody. Further investigation is underway. Security has since been intensified around the campus to prevent any further clashes,” Maktoob reported, quoting journalist Yasir Mushtaq, who reported the statement issued by the Superintendent of Police, Bengaluru Rural.
The All India Students’ Association (AISA) alleged that, “the ABVP’s repeated assault on campus democracy and the student community, whether it is APU, Bengaluru University, CUK, HCU, JNU, DU, Allahabad University and all other stems from their deliberate attack on the culture of debate, dissent and discussion that fosters critical thinking.”
“This particular attack was to silence a discussion organised under the banner of Spark* that sought to centre the voices of Kashmiri women and reflect on questions of justice, memory, and accountability,” the statement added.
_vb_21.jpeg)
