Steps to ramp up Bangalore infrastructure promised

The Siddaramaiah government today promised steps to ramp up infrastructure in Bengaluru and boost the state's industrial growth and investment, asserting that finances had improved over the last year giving a fillip to developmental activities.

Outlining government's priorities in his maiden address delivered in Hindi to the joint session of state legislature, Governor Vajubhai Vala also said a social and educational survey would be conducted by Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes to help uplift of those sections.

The Governor's preference for Hindi had evoked criticism from various Kannada organisations. Vala's predecessors had delivered the address in English. The Governor began his address today with greetings to the members in Kannada.

"My government is taking steps to tackle the various problems of Bengaluru city, particularly infrastructure and waste disposal. Under Nagarothana scheme, Rs 1,000 crore has been allocated for improvement of infrastructure in Bengaluru city, new solid waste management plants are being set up," Vala said in his address.

Pointing out that phase 1 of Bengaluru Metro Rail project is targeted for completion this year, and an expert committee has been set up to study the issue of bifurcation of Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike for effective governance, he said, "for development of 10 city corporations in various districts of the state, works with an estimated cost of Rs 1,000 crore have been approved under Nagarothana scheme phase 3."

Vala said in order to boost industrial growth, investment and employment opportunity in th state, a new industrial policy has been operationalised.

"Steps have been taken to provide more facilities, incentives and concessions to establish industries in backward regions, in Hyderabad-Karnataka region.

"Entrepreneurs belonging to SC/ST, women and minorities will also get higher incentives. In the current year. the State High Level Clearance Committee has approved 23 proposals with an investment of Rs 17,000 crore which will generate 24,000 jobs," he added.

Vala said finances of the state have improved over last year, thereby giving a fillip to development activities.

"Rs 26,847 crore of commercial taxes have been collected up to November 2014 which is 16.5 per cent higher than the previous year. The e-initiatives of the department have made tax compliance by the taxpayer easier, simpler and more transparent, acclaimed as one of the best practices to be adopted under the indirect taxes administration," he said.

"Rs 8825 crore is the revenue earned by the exercise department up to November 2014 with a growth of 8.43 per cent as compared to last year, he said, adding that "Khajane II project is intended to be implemented in the state this year. This is an integrated financial management system."

Noting that the new Information Technology Policy announced last year aims at taking information technology to the cities of the state with population between 5 and 25 lakhs, Vala said, "A number of initiatives have been started towards encouraging entrepreneurship, accelerating the growth of start-ups, setting up New Age Incubation Centres, skill development programmes, providing Wi-Fi in all the district capitals, which will lead to enhance e-commerce activities...."

He said, "A state-wide GIS will be established which will be available to all departments as an important and innovative governance tool in their day-to-day planning and monitoring of schemes."

"The Karnataka -GIS portal will be first of its kind in the country," he added.