 "CII draws roadmap for Mysore as next IT hub")
The broad themes outlined by the industry body for the heritage city include adoption of cluster approach for industrial development, promotion of Mysore as Karnataka’s next IT & ITeS and ESDM hub, promotion of agro processing sector and cottage industries and thrust on tourism, heritage preservation and rebranding among others.
The CII released a detailed report on Mysore at a partnership summit in Bangalore. The report has highlighted that the Department of Industries and Commerce (DIC) should create IT cluster, ESDM cluster and agro-processing cluster.
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In order to ensure proper utilization of land facilities, DIC must introduce a policy of reversal of land allotments that have remained vacant for more than four years.
“The state government should consider enacting a Business Facilitation Act to empower the single window approval process and explore the possibility of developing the IT, ESDM and agro-processing sector on public private partnership (PPP) basis as envisaged for the pharmaceuticals and medical instruments clusters,” the report said.
Mysore, the erstwhile capital of Wodeyar dynasty, is the third-largest city and sixth-largest district in Karnataka.
It is also the fifth-largest contributor to GSDP of the state.
The information technology and tourism sector together account for around 50 per cent of the revenue generated in the service sector. The state government should work towards making Mysore a power surplus region by 2015.
The Karnataka Udyog Mitra (KUM) should feature Mysore as an important investment destination in Karnataka, just as it does for Bangalore.
“The DIC should ensure that the cluster receives uninterrupted power and water supply and should provide for solid and liquid waste management systems. Such waste management systems would further attract private investments in the industrial areas and mitigate environmental risks posed by industrial activities in the region,” the CII report said.
CII has also recommended to the government to undertake an independent study on the opportunities in the ESDM sector and formulate a marketing strategy to attract investments into the sector. Hotagalli area on the outskirts of Mysore should be declared as ESDM Investment Region, it said.
It has also recommended for formulating a policy which will mandate that at least 30 per cent of Karnataka government’s electronic procurements will be met by ESDM companies in Mysore. ESDM, IT and ITES companies should be subject to VAT (valued added tax) at a concessional rate of 10.5 per cent.
Setting up of software parks and IT incubation centre, extension of Rural BPO programme and development of an IT Corridor between Bangalore and Mysore are other important recommendations.
It has also suggested the government formulate a policy, which will mandate that at least 30 per cent of Karnataka government’s information technology requirements are met by IT companies in Mysore.
“Mysore should preserve its ecological base and hence focus on the promotion of only such industries that have minimum or no adverse ecological impact. Priority should be accorded to investments in sectors such as information technology, cottage industries, agro-processing and ESDM,” the report added.