Karnataka Rural Business Hubs Council inaugurated

Bangalore, Feb 24 (UNI) Seeking to empower panchayat institutions to function independently, the Karnataka Rural Business Hubs Council was today formally inaugurated by Union panchayati Raj Minister Manishankar Aiyar here.

Mr Aiyar said with the launch of Rural Business Hubs, panchayats in the State were empowered to join hands with public or private enterprises to execute any project, intended to improve the living standards of people in rural rural areas.

He witnessed 20 gram panchayat heads signing a memorandum of understanding with five Electricity Supply Companies (ESCOMs) to maintain electricity feeders, supply power and collect subscription from consumers in their respective villages.

Karnataka Power Transmission Commission Limited Managing Director Bharatlal Meena, said the MoU would help to supply quality power and ensure jump in revenue collection.

Panchayats that would receive power at the rate prescribed by ESCOMs could fix their own price for the consumers, thus benefitting the latter. The ESCOMs would initially impart the technical know how to the staff of each panchayat in this regard.

The National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), also signed a MoU with five gram panchayats in Bellary and Koppal districts to train rural artisans to improve their skills in providing new designs and help market their products.

Two MoUs were signed with Bettadapura village panchayat in Mysore for running and maintaining biogas power plant, producing organic manure and distributing power generated in the village.

The Chinnanahalli Gram Panchayat President also signed a MoU with Malavalli Power Plant Limited to start cold storages.

The Confederation of Indian Industries State President Mirchandani, State Panchayatraj and Rural Development Principal Secretary V P Baligar and Managing Directors of various ESCOMs were also present.

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