Karnataka must top exports, says Siddaramaiah

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday pushed for more exports from Karnataka, expressing a desire to make it the number one state in that regard.

He also promised the formulation of a new “progressive” industrial policy to the satisfaction of industry leaders. He made the remarks at the State Export Excellence Awards organised by the Department of Commerce and Industry at the Vidhana Soudha.

“Right now Tamil Nadu is at the top and Maharashtra is at the second spot (when it comes to exports). Karnataka is at the third position. Let us strive to make Karnataka the number one state in this regard,” Siddaramaiah said.

The CM held that Karnataka began its industrialization process in the early modern era in the 18th century under progressive policies. He pointed out that skill development would be a focus of his government since skilled workers would facilitate industrial growth.

He also praised Large and Medium Scale Industries Minister MB Patil as the correct man for the job. Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar echoed the CM’s sentiments on Karnataka being a favourable destination for industries.

“Not so many companies go to Kerala. Many of them make their way to Telangana, Andhra and Tamil Nadu. However, Karnataka is the best place for industries in south India,” he said.

Discussion without Oppn unfortunate: CM Siddaramaiah slammed the Opposition JD(S) and BJP for not attending the session and choosing to protest in the Vidhana Soudha premises over the Speaker suspending 10 saffron party MLAs instead.

“To facilitate discussions from the Opposition parties, we ran the Assembly for three weeks. It usually runs for two weeks. They wasted time in disturbances,” he said.

“I have been in politics for 40 years and have presented 14 Budgets. It is for the first time I have given answers to questions (on the Budget) without Opposition parties,” he added.

‘HDK lying about hands being tied’ The CM also opposed JD(S) legislature party leader HD Kumaraswamy’s claim that his hands had been tied when it came to probing alleged irregularities in the NICE Road project.

“Kumaraswamy came to power after us (in 2018). He had been the CM. Why didn’t he act then?” he asked. “These are all lies. No one tied his hands. Didn’t we cooperate when it came to loan waivers and other programmes? When did we ever tie his hands?” Siddaramaiah added.