Bengaluru, Feb 10 (KNN) The Karnataka Small Scale Industries Association (KASSIA) presented a memorandum to Chief Minister B. S. Yediyurappa during a pre-budget meeting held today.

Various issues concerning the development of MSMEs such as industrial infrastructure in general as well as in the industrial estates, including Private Industrial Estates, streamlining procedures for allotment of KSSIDC/ KIADB land to MSMEs, including the need for private sector involvement in developing new industrial areas, creation of new industrial townships and a number of other issues were raised in the memorandum for addressal.

R Raju, President, KASSIA, particularly emphasized the Chief Minister the need for providing additional grants to KSFC towards the subsidized loans for SMEs.  KASSIA also stressed the importance of MSEFC in settling delayed payments cases requesting the Government to open two more centres in a northern district and also Mangalore.

The need for good maintenance of infrastructure in industrial estates of KSSIDC and KIADB were emphasized.

KASSIA said, "Irritants like levy of property tax by the local authorities where clear guidelines were absent was highlighted along with the need for augmenting power infrastructure in the State, particularly for industry, and to ensure that the tariffs were not unnecessarily raised every year as consumption by industry has steeply come down in the recent years."

KASSIA particularly pleaded for the creation of the right eco-system for increased investments.

The Chief Minister appreciated the points raised and positively responded to the memorandum.

KASSIA expessed hope that the state government will redress some of these issues in the forthcoming budget in order to ensure greater investments from the SME sector.

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