Karnataka attracted Rs 1.21 lakh crore investment in two years, says CM

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, on Tuesday, said, the State has a set target of attracting investments up to Rs five lakh crore and create15 lakh job opportunities.

Speaking after laying foundation for the development of Adakanahalli, Immavu and second phase of Tandavapura Industrial Areas (TANDIA) here, the chief minister said, in the last two years, the government had succeeded in attracting investments worth Rs 1.21 lakh crore. While 1,000 acres of industrial area is coming up at Chamarajanagar, similar initiatives are planned at Belagavi and other places.

He said that Karnataka was one of the industry-friendly states in the country and towards this end the government unveiled a new industrial policy last October. He said that the new textile policy would als obe implemented soon.

In the last 45 years, Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB) had developed 148 industrial areas providing jobs to lakhs of people, the chief minister said.

Bhagwat’s quota remark
Later, speaking to press persons, the chief minister flayed RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s recent demand for reviewing the reservation policy in the country. Siddaramaiah said, “Now the cat is out of the bag. According to Bhagwat, reservation should be extended to economically backward people, irrespective of caste. Those people who have been deprived of social justice should understand the conspiracy behind such attempts.”

CM admits to water release to TN
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who was till Monday persistently denying release of Cauvery river water to Tamil Nadu, on Tuesday admitted that water was being released to the neighbouring state. Reacting to media queries, the chief minister clarified that water was being released as per the distress formula. It is still impossible to release water according to the order of Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal that mandates for release of water up to 182 tmc ft. He clarified that the Centre had summoned officials to New Delhi, seeking explanation over the inability to release water. The chief secretary and a host of officials are expected to visit Delhi on September.