Eco-friendly industries should come up in Kodagu: CM Shettar

No private land will be acquired in Kodagu, says Ranjan

Eco-friendly and agro based industries should be set up in Kodagu. The state government is committed to ensure that environment is not harmed with the setting up of industries, said chief minister Jagadish Shettar.

Addressing a gathering of  the investors at the meet organised by Federation of Karnataka Chamber of Commerce and Industry, tourism department, Karnataka Small Industries Development Corporation and others here on Tuesday, he said: “We need to conserve environment along with carrying out development activities. We will give emphasis to industries which do not harm environment.”

When Global Investors meet was held in Bangalore in 2012, Rs 3,82,000 crore was invested in Karnataka. In the past, industrialists and entrepreneurs were investing in and around Bangalore alone. Now entrepreneurs are coming forward to invest outside Bangalore, which will help in the integrated development of the state.

The CM said the government is committed to create an atmosphere to attract investment in Kodagu. A sum of Rs 400 crore has been released for the development of roads. The government will take up the work on mini airport at Koodige, railwayline till Kushalnagar, medical college in Madikeri, etc.

District in-charge minister M P Appachu Ranjan said the government land would be given for investors to set up their units in Kodagu. No private land will be acquired. The people of Kodagu need not worry over land acquisition.

“If industries come up in Kodagu, employment will be generated. This will check migration of youth from the district to other places in search of work.”

Ex-MLC A K Subbaiah said the investors meet should not become a meet for merry and joy. The government should take measures to implement all memoranda of understanding with the industrialists.

He said a few organisations are opposing development work in the name of culture. “Agriculture activities have declined in the district. Farmers have started migrating to other places. Culture of the land can be conserved only when agriculture is preserved.”

MLC T John said the roads should be developed. Assembly Speaker K G Bopaiah, CMC president H M Nandakumar, FKCCI past president J R Bangera and others were present.