GIM: CM Hopeful of Good Response.

On the eve of the Global Investors Meet, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday remained hopeful of a good response but said the state government was looking at “realistic” investments this time. He was referring to the wide gap between the investments promised during the previous two summits and the investments realised so far.

“We are hoping to mobilise investments in 116 investable projects already identified,” he said at an interaction with the media. In the last two investor summits, investments to the tune `10 lakh crore were promised but only about 10 per cent have come in so far.

For example, ArcelorMittal, which was planning a rS 30,000 crore steel plant in Ballari, has backed out of the project due to the restrictions imposed on iron ore mining.

This time around, the state government is confident of realising the investment proposals that come up during the summit.

The government has taken up several measures to ensure ease of doing business.

Speedy clearance of the projects and having a land bank of 26,000 acres are some important measures as those investing in the state do not have to face any delays due to issues related to acquiring lands. As much as 13,000 acres of government land has been transferred to Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board for industrial purposes.

Siddaramaiah said at the investors meet the government will be able to attract more than double the investments the state has received in last three years and create employment for thousands of people.

“In 2013-14 and 2014-15 an investment of rS 96,605 crore was approved with employment potential for 2,27,552 persons and in 2015-16 (as on December 2015), an investment of `47,959 crore has been committed creating employment to around 27,607 persons,” he said. “We will be announcing mega investment projects on Feb 3 and 4,” the CM added.

Emphasis will be given on providing employment to locals. It will be 100 per cent in the lower level and around 70 per cent in the higher level positions, Industries Minister R V Deshpande said.

In the investors meet, the state government is also focusing on attracting investments in districts like Yadgir, Kalaburagi, Belagavi and other districts outside the state capital.

The Traffic police have made several arrangements regarding entry, exit and parking for Invest Karnataka-2016 meet.

The police have requested people to avoid Ramana Maharshi Road, Chakravarthi Layout Road, Jayaraman Road and Jayamahal Road between 8 am and 12 noon

Directions for Entering the Venue

All dignitaries and VVIP with vehicle pass will enter through Gate 1 of the main entrance to the palace. Parking will be provided at area A. All VIP/senior government officials with vehicle pass will enter through Gate No 2 of the main entrance to the palace. Parking will be provided at area B.

All delegates will enter from Gate 1 of main entrance and head towards Scorpio security and proceed to delegates parking area D. Buggies will be provided to delegates to head towards registration counters. Those coming from Malleswaram side and Ramana Maharshi Road will enter from Gate 3 Kamadhenu gate and proceed to delegates parking D Area.

Delegates coming directly from Kempegowda International Airport, after travelling from Hebbal side shall take the service road ramp towards Mekhri Circle, take left at Mekhri Circle to Jayamahal Road and take a right turn and gain entry from Gate 4, Mango Mandi Road, and proceed to delegates Parking D. All exhibitor vehicles will need to enter from Jayamahal Road or Ramana Maharshi Road entrance before 8 am and exit only from Gate 3 and 4.

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