Programmes to support early-stage startups, women entrepreneurs to be launched: CM Siddaramaiah
Bengaluru, Feb 16: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in his budget speech on Friday proposed to launch three new programmes aimed at maintaining Karnataka's top position in the startup ecosystem, particularly to support early stage startups and women entrepreneurs.
Presenting the state budget for 2024-25 in the legislative assembly, Siddaramaiah announced Rajiv Gandhi Entrepreneurship Programme an early-stage funding programme that nurtures ideas and innovations to promote innovative endeavours and startups founded by students or inexperienced entrepreneurs.
These programmes will also include a new initiative to support early stage women entrepreneurs with a sector-wise and targeted approach. To promote agriculture startups in the state, five acres of land will be provided to C-Camp Agri innovation Park, the chief minister said.
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"Karnataka has been a pioneering state in the field of technology. To expand the state's footprint in this sector, a Centre of Excellence in Fintech, Space-tech and Automation Tech at a cost of Rs 10 crore will be set up over a period of five years in collaboration with entrepreneurs and educational institutions," the chief minister said.
Bengaluru has more than 400 Global Capability Centres. In order to attract higher investment in this sector, it is proposed to introduce a new Global Capability Centre Policy in the current year, he said.
"Karnataka Innovation of Technology Solutions, in collaboration with KEONICS, will establish skilling and innovation centres in emerging technologies across Kalaburagi, Shivamogga, Hubbali, and Tumakuru, at a budget of Rs 12 Crore," he added.
An Institute of Advanced Genome Editing and Gene Therapy will be established to promote study and research in genomics in the state which aims to become a hub for cutting-edge research in health, agriculture and other areas of life sciences, he said.
The Karnataka government will launch a AVGC-XR Policy 3.0 for the period 2024-2029, with an ambitious aim of generating 30,000 new high-quality jobs in this sector. There will be a new investment of Rs 150 crore towards this, Siddaramaiah said.
To showcase the growth of science and technology and to promote science education, a science city at Bengaluru will be established in association with the Government of India at total cost of Rs 233 crore.
"Karnataka holds the top position in terms of industrial growth. To maintain its top position and to attract more investment, New Industrial Policy will be formulated in the current year. Global Investors Meet will be organised in February-2025 to attract greater foreign investment into the state," Siddaramaiah said during his speech.
The industrial estates existing in various districts will be upgraded through Karnataka State Small Industries Development Corporation in collaboration with the central government at an estimated cost of Rs 39 crore.
An industrial node will be developed near Dharwad in 6,000 acres of land under the Bengaluru-Mumbai economic corridor programme in collaboration with the central and state government. This will resolve the unemployment problem of the North Karnataka region and encourage economic development, he said.
The New Textile Policy 2024-29 will be formulated for the development of the textile and weaving sector, the chief minister announced. Through this, a capital investment of Rs 10,000 crore is expected along with generation of two lakh jobs. This policy will also promote greater investment and employment opportunities, he added.
The chief minister also announced that mini textile parks will be set up in 25 districts of the state for which subsidy will be provided with the existing policy.
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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."
