Land will be forfeited if entrepreneurs don’t commence operations within six months: Udupi Deputy Commissioner T.K. Swaroopa

Udupi Deputy Commissioner T.K. Swaroopa stated on Tuesday, December 30, that entrepreneurs who are allotted land to start industries will forfeit their allotment if they do not commence industrial activities within six months, as per the allotment rules.

Chairing the district-level implementation committee meeting for various industrial schemes at Rajatadri, the district office complex, Ms. Swaroopa stated that entrepreneurs allotted land must commence industrial activities within six months or forfeit their allotment. She said that such forfeited lands would be reassigned to applicants in waiting. The DC expressed regret that some entrepreneurs have been repeatedly seeking extensions without commencing industrial activities, citing reasons such as changes in company name or product lines.

“When industrial activity gears up, it helps improve the district’s economy and provides more jobs for aspirants. The administration, therefore, encourages new entrepreneurs and aims to make them successful in their respective ventures,” she said. She also noted the need to appoint an export inspection agency officer for the district to further promote local exports.

Regarding land applications, Ms. Swaroopa said that requests for less than two acres with a project cost up to ₹15 crore should be processed at the district level. She told officials concerned to demarcate land identified for small industries at Shivapura (78.84 acres) and Kerebettu (38.75) acres on priority. The DC also directed officials to disburse compensation to owners whose lands were acquired for road formation to the Belapu industrial area. She said that if owners refuse to accept the compensation, the funds should be deposited with the court.

Government schemes

Ms Swaroopa stated that banks must extend credit facilities to beneficiaries of government-sponsored schemes. While 3,992 beneficiaries were sanctioned financial assistance under the PM-Vishwakarma scheme, credit was disbursed only to 3,675, she noted and asked banks to hasten the disbursal process of the remaining funds. Although ₹20.27 crore in margin money was slated for release for 526 units under the PM Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP), only ₹8.31 crore has been released to 222 units, she noted further and directed the banks to release the remaining funds immediately.

Joint Director of Industries Nagaraj V. Nayak, District Small Scale Industries Association President Vasanth Kini, Municipal Commissioner Mahantesh Hangaragi, and other officials were present at the meeting.