Chidambaram asks Canara Bank to fund fruit processing plant

Kolar, Karnataka, Apr 15 (UNI) In an instant response to a call given by the people of this parched district, known for its mangoes and vegetables, Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram today asked the Canara Bank officials to identify an entrepreneur to set up a fruit processing plant within three months.

Heeding the pleas of Union Minister of State for Highways and Surface Transport K H Muniyappa and local Legislator K Srinivasa Gowda, who sought setting up of a fruit processing plant and cold storages, he asked Canara Bank Chairman and Managing Director M B N Rao to call application for setting up such plants and extend necessary help to the industrialists.

''I hereby ask the Chairman of Canara Bank to invite applications from industrialists to set up such plants in Kolar district and complete this process within three months,'' he said.

Earlier, Mr Muniyappa sought the Union Government's help to revive the century-old Bharat Gold Mines Ltd at Kolar Gold Fields in the district, which had been closed for many years now.

''I have sought the Union Government to facilitate calling of global tenders for investors to restart this oldest gold mine. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had sought the views of Mr Chidambaram, who had affirmed that calling for global tenders was a good step. But sadly, the Karnataka Government is delaying the process as it has failed to send a proposal to this effect by taking a Cabinet decision,'' he said.

UNI