Trade bodies demand better infrastructure

In a memorandum submitted to the chief minister, the Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FKCCI) stated that there was an urgent need to upgrade and develop National Highways 17, 48 and 13 connecting to ports, thus facilitating hinterland development. They suggested that inter-state roads be made two-lane for speedy movement of vehicles.

The federation also demanded that the Bangalore-Mysore railway line be electrified and track-doubling on the Tumkur-  Arasikere line be expedited.  They also wanted setting up of a container terminal facility at the New Mangalore Port  and speeding up of  work on the Tadri port.

The FKCCI said the procedures prescribed by the Karnataka Land Reforms Act for purchase of land by industry should be simplified. To overcome the problem, applications should be processed by the deputy commissioner or the assistant commissioner without raising further queries. A time-frame should be fixed for the issue of the final permission from the date of clearance by the single window agency, it added.

The federation proposed that the government restore the previous VAT slabs to help the common man, support business and prevent trade diversion.

A comparative chart of tax rates should be posted on the commercial tax department’s website for the benefit of the public, it said.