Sunil Lohan
Gadag:Former Chief Minister and Member of Parliament Basavaraj Bommai on Saturday called upon industrialists and entrepreneurs to take a pledge to transform Gadag into an industrial city,stressing that the region has all the basic ingredients for rapid industrial growth.
He was speaking as the chief guest at the golden jubilee celebrations of the Gadag Chamber of Commerce and Industry,along with the silver jubilee of Gadag Utsav and the felicitation of leading traders and entrepreneurs, held at Sri K.H.Patil Auditorium in Gadag city.
Bommai said Gadag enjoys a special place in history, has a strategic geographical location,and possesses rich natural resources.
“We need to introspect on where we have succeeded and where we have faltered in the past 50 years.While individuals completing 50 years may not be remarkable, for an institution it is truly significant.
Former presidents and office bearers of the Chamber deserve appreciation for building this institution during difficult times,”he said.
Bright Prospects
Highlighting Gadag’s infrastructure, Bommai pointed out that railway connectivity has improved with the Gadag-Wadi and Gadag-Yalavigi projects, besides a proposed high-speed rail link to Mumbai.
“Around Rs.700 crore has been sanctioned for the Gadag-Yalavigi project.The Tungabhadra river flows nearby, and once the Varada-Bedti river link project gets central approval,summer water scarcity will be solved. Gadag also has immense scope for food processing and textile industries,”he noted.
He urged the Chamber to set its sights on competing with the Bengaluru Chamber of Commerce. “Competitors are a driving force.
If Bengaluru moves ahead,Gadag must strive harder. Anchor industries can be attracted here if land is provided at concessional rates.I am ready to take up this responsibility,” Bommai assured.
Need for Skills
Underlining the importance of skill development, he said, “What we lack today is not resources but skills.That is why the central government has created a Skill Development Department.If properly utilized, we can compete with any country.
Prime Minister Modi has lifted 25 crore people out of poverty, built homes for five crore families, ensured food security and infrastructure development. Change is happening across India, and Gadag too must change with the times.”
Challenges for Entrepreneurs
At the same time, Bommai admitted that setting up industries in Karnataka has become difficult due to government hurdles and the land mafia.
“Whenever a new industry is proposed, land prices suddenly rise fourfold, making it unaffordable for common entrepreneurs. This must change,” he warned.
Recalling his own experience, Bommai said he had once allotted 100 acres in Bengaluru to an industry that promised one lakh jobs.
“They gave 20,000 jobs, but after a change of government, they shifted to another state. Even Toyota moved to Maharashtra due to lack of cooperation here. Gadag must not lose such opportunities,” he cautioned.
The former CM said he found greater satisfaction as an entrepreneur than as a politician. “Industry is like a life partner that supports you in difficult times. Let us all join hands and resolve to script a glorious industrial future for Gadag,”
The event was attended by Jagadguru Sri Dr. Tontad Siddarama Mahaswamiji of Tontadarya Math, Dambal-Gadag, along with office bearers and members of the Gadag Chamber of Commerce.
