Bengaluru, April 13 (IANS) Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel H. D. Kumaraswamy on Monday visited the state legislature for the first time in two years after assuming office and held discussions with Karnataka Industries Minister M. B. Patil on key industrial development initiatives.
The meeting, held at Patil’s office, focused on promoting industrial growth in the Mandya Lok Sabha constituency (represented by Kumaraswamy) and across the state, with an emphasis on job creation.
Senior officials from both the Centre and the state, along with public representatives from Mandya, were also present.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Kumaraswamy described the discussions as “very positive” and said the focus was on resolving issues related to land allocation for industrial projects in Mandya.
He noted that earlier discussions on the subject would now be taken to a logical conclusion.
A major point of discussion was the proposed establishment of a testing centre by the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) in Mandya. Kumaraswamy said such centres currently exist only in four locations across the country and expressed his intention to bring the fifth facility to Karnataka.
He said the proposed ARAI centre would be developed as an international-level testing facility and would significantly boost the automobile sector, particularly the electric vehicle industry.
According to the Union Minister, around 500–600 acres of land would be required to set up the centre along with supporting infrastructure. He said efforts are underway to identify suitable land within Mandya and that two to three locations have already been examined, though availability remains limited.
Kumaraswamy requested the state government to resolve the land issue by April 30, stating that his ministry is planning to conduct the foundation-laying ceremony for the project in May.
He also suggested that government land of around 500 acres could be considered, with adequate compensation provided to farmers if the land is under cultivation.
The Union minister said that he had already held preliminary discussions with farmers, who responded positively. He further noted that the Chief Minister had announced the allocation of 100 acres for the project in the state budget.
Highlighting the challenges, Kumaraswamy said Mandya, being an agriculture-based irrigation district, has limited availability of government and dry land.
While the state has indicated it can provide 100 acres, he said a larger extent would help in better implementation of the project. He added that Minister M. B. Patil had responded positively to the request.
On political developments in the Davanagere South Assembly constituency, Kumaraswamy declined to comment, stating that internal issues of the Congress party should be addressed by the party itself.
He added that no leaders who have shifted from JD(S) to the Congress have been in contact with him so far. If any such approach is made, he said, a decision would be taken after consulting senior party leaders.
–IANS
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