The Karnataka Government has identified land in Dobbspet (between Bangalore and Tumkur) to set up the ‘Foundry Cluster,' said Mr Murugesh R. Nirani, Karnataka Industries Minister.
Addressing the 60th Indian Foundry Congress, organised by the Institute of Indian Foundrymen (IIF) in Bangalore, Mr Nirani said, “Earlier, we had proposed a cluster near Dobbspet. But it ran into problems because of issues raised by the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB).”
“A few investors were asked to relocate from that project. But we will address all those problems to revive the project at Dobbspet at the earliest by taking into consideration the growth prospects of the foundry industry,” Mr Nirani added.
Industrial clusters
The ‘Foundry Cluster' was one of the 14 such industry-specific clusters being developed in Karnataka. There are plans to set up industrial clusters for automobiles, gems and jewellery.
“We are in the process of acquiring land for these clusters. We will ensure that the Foundry Cluster becomes reality in the next six months,” Mr Nirani said.
At the proposed foundry cluster, the IIF plans to set up a Centre for Innovation, which includes R&D facilities, training and technology demonstration for foundries. Responding to the IIF's plans, the Minister said the Government would shortly allot two acres of land at Dobbspet to the IIF under a special plan.
Mr R.K. Mathur, Union Secretary for Micro Small and Medium Enterprise, in his address advised the foundry industry to take advantage of the various schemes launched for industry promotion. “Manufacturing has been stagnant at 15 per cent in the country for over several years. Unless, manufacturing contributes 25 per cent to the nation's GDP, balanced growth is not possible,” he pointed out.
In his opening remarks, Dr. H. Sundara Murthy, President, IIF, said the foundry industry in the country was growing at a healthy rate of 22 per cent. Automobiles, aerospace and public infrastructure were strong growth indicators for the foundry industry, he said and added that the Government had to contribute in a big way to facilitate the consolidation of the foundries.
The Dobbspet Foundry Cluster will be the second such industrial estate for foundry in Karnataka with a similar facility already operating in Belgaum.
Mr Nirani said the Government was committed to the growth of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), under which the majority of foundries are identified. “We are also aware of the problems of the Indian foundry industry. We will make sure that these problems are solved quickly to facilitate the growth of the foundry industry in Karnataka,” he said.
Pending subsidy
The Government plans to release the pending subsidy due to various small scale industries (SSI). “I am aware that the Government owes subsidy to the tune of several crores of rupees. We will make budgetary allocation during 2012-13 to clear the entire subsidy due this year itself,” Mr Nirani added.