We’re trying to attract industrial investments in North Karnataka, says Deputy Chief Minister

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Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara speaking to reporters at the Suvarna Soudha in Belagavi on Wednesday. | Photo Credit: P.K. BADIGER

The State government is taking several steps to attract industrial investments in North Karnataka, Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara said in Belagavi on Wednesday.

“It is true that several corporations are choosing Bengaluru for industrial investments. But we are offering tax concessions, providing land, water and power supply to those who are willing to invest outside of Bengaluru. But the decision to invest in North Karnataka or other places away from the State capital is to be taken by investors. It is not easy to attract investments outside Bengaluru,” he told reporters.

To a query, he said that Karnataka should not be compared to States like Andhra Pradesh or Tamil Nadu in industrial development.

“It is possible that Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu or other States have managed to get industrial investments in tier two towns. But Karnataka’s industrial development is far ahead of them as we have the second biggest industrial output and among the highest GST collections in the country,” he said.

To a query, he said that the State government will consider a proposal to annul amendments brought in by the Basavaraj Bommai government that had allowed anyone to purchase any amount of farmland in the State.

“Most of our laws are aligned with the laws introduced by the Union government. Since the Union government changed the laws regarding land acquisition, several land laws were changed by successive governments in Karnataka. However, we have received some feedback that the amendments that removed Sections 79 A and B of the Karnataka land reforms Act have made the poor land holders vulnerable and that some with clout are forcing them to part with government granted land. That is why, the Congress included a promise to reinstate provisions that protected the land of the poor, the condition to allow only farmers or children of farmers to buy far