Centre urged to set up 'Dal Cluster' in Gulbarga

Gulbarga, May 16 (UNI) A delegation of the Hyderabad-Karnataka region led by CPI(M) Politburo member Sitaram Yechuri today urged the Government to set up a 'Dal Cluster' here.

After meeting with Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Commerce Minister Kamal Nath, Hyderabad-Karnataka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (HKCCI) President Umakanth Nigudagi said the leaders had assured them for favourably considering their demand.

The delegation, besides the HKCCI President, included Mr Iqbal Ahmed Saradagi, Member of Parliament and Karnataka Pranta Rytu Sangh President Maruthi Manpade.

Mr Nigudagi told reporters that there were 130 Dal processing units here which had earned the reputation as the 'tur bowl' of the state.

But there was no pulse cluster, forcing the growers to export all their products to other states for processing, he added.

Of the Rs 43 crore needed for setting up 'Dal Cluster', 75 per cent would be released by the Centre, Mr Nigudagi said.

The proposal of setting up of a Dal Cluster had been pending since long time and even five acres of land had been earmarked for the project.

UNI