‘Dedicated plant needed to address energy needs of Bangalore’
Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilizers Ananth Kumar on Saturday assured the State government of all help in getting a dedicated plant to address the power needs of Bangalore.
At the inauguration of the Institute of Electricity and Energy Management (IEEM), set up in the city by the Department of Labour under the Karnataka-France Collaboration for Electrical Skills, the Union Minister said Chief Minister Siddaramaiah should pursue the pending Bidadi gas-based power project with the Centre and get all hurdles cleared for its implementation. “We will extend the support. There is a need for a dedicated power plant to address the energy needs of the city,” he said.
He said the Bidadi project would ensure 24-hour power supply in the city and also help the information technology, biotechnology and industrial sectors.
Mr. Kumar assured the Labour Department of all cooperation from the Centre, and added that it should focus on providing skill training to the youth. The BJP-led government at the Centre had resolved to spend 57 of its 60-month tenure in developing the nation. “We will keep the remaining three months for politics,” he said.
Minister of State for Labour P.T. Parameshwar Naik said 100 industrial training institutes (ITIs) would start functioning this academic year. Steps had been taken to depute teachers and identify buildings to be taken on rent for the institutes. The ITIs would be set up at several places, including Kampli, Hagari Bommanahalli, Hampasagar, Gudekote and Holalu in Bellary district, he said.
The Minister said his department would initiate measures to provide skill training to tribal people and bring them into the mainstream.
The IEEM, set up under Karnataka-France Collaboration for Electrical Skills, has been set up with Rs. 2-crore assistance from the France government. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah inaugurated it.
Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy, project manager in the French Ministry of Education Chandrika Casali, global director – training, Schneider Electric, Francois Millioni and State Employment and Training Commissioner Naveen Raj Singh were present.
