K'taka to unveil new Industrial Policy: Minister

Bangalore, Nov 5 (UNI) Karnataka Government would unveil its new Industrial Policy for 2008-2013 once it got the recommendations on the Draft Policy which had been sent to various representative bodies of trade and industry, State Industries Minister Murugesh Nirani said today.

Speaking to newsperson here, he said the new Industrial Policy would be finalised by the end of this month and come into force by December-end, he added.

Federation of Karnataka Chamber of Commerce and Industries (FKCCI), CII, FICCI and other trade and industry bodies had been asked to forward their views on the Policy, Mr Nirani said.

He said the State Government had decided to set up a 'Land Bank' in all the districts in Karnataka.

''I have instructed Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board (KIADB) to identify the quantum of non-agricultural land available in each district and send a report by November-end,'' he added.

The government would release the land for those evincing interest in setting up units, he added.

To a question, the Minister said the current economic recession being witnessed in the United States and European Countries also had its impact on the State's economy.

The government had convened a high-level meeting to evaluate the impact, he added.

The economic crisis was likely to hit the State's plan to hold a Global Investors Meet, scheduled for January 2009, he said, adding that the meet might be postponed.

He also denied the State Government had plans to shift Karnataka Soaps and Detergents Ltd, which produces the world famous Mysore Sandal soaps, saying, ''The Government has approved KSDL's expansion and modernisation programme and allotted 20 acre of land near Dabaspet'' (for the purpose), he said.

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