Karnataka CM invited to Sweden to study solid waste disposal system

Bangalore, July 1: Swedish Ambassador to India Harold Sandberg on Tuesday invited

Chief Minister

to visit his country to study various systems including disposal of solid waste using sophisticated technologies.

Siddaramaiah said the Ambassador invited to him for a visit from August 17 to 21 but the government would take a decision on the matter soon.

The garbage disposal problem has been a thorn in the flesh of the state government and Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike, city civic body, with residents of Mandur restricting the trucks from dumping garbage into the landfill near their village.

The garbage disposal problem has been a pressing one for the Karnataka govt

The restriction, which led to garbage piling up in the city, has invited criticism from the Opposition and citizens, who have demanded a permanent remedy for the problem.

The matter for now has temporarily been resolved after the government promised Mandur residents of not dumping the garbage near their village from December onwards.

Sanderberg also invited him to study the urban transport system in Sweden, Siddaramaiah said.

He also said that he has invited Sandberg to be a partner in the next Global Investment Meet to be held in February next year.

Siddaramaiah said there are approximately 170 Swedish companies established in India and Rs 4.6 billion worth FDI has flown into India in 2013.

IKEA, the furniture giant from Sweden has got approval of the Indian Government for its Rs 10,500 crore investment in the country, Siddaramaiah said.

"I am hopeful that IKEA will make major investments in Karnataka," he said.

Companies like ABB, SKF, Astra Zeneca, Hennes and Mauratz, Volvo Trucks, SSAB and more recently Scania have chosen Bangalore over other places to start business, Siddaramaiah said.

PTI