NE NEWS SERVICE
TUMAKURU, FEB 6
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his third visit to poll-bound Karnataka in less than a month, inaugurated the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited’s helicopter factory — the country’s largest chopper manufacturing facility –, laid the foundation stone for the new industrial township along the Chennai-Bengaluru Industrial Corridor and Jal Jeevan mission project providing drinking water to the water starved regions of Tumakuru district on Monday.
- Lays foundation stones for Tumakuru Industrial Township and two Jal Jeevan Mission projects in Tumakuru
- There is huge enthusiasm in the middle class due to tax benefits given in this budget
- Financial inclusion of women strengthens their voice in households and this Budget has many provisions for that
The HAL facility will produce more than 1,000 helicopters in the range of 3-15 tonne with a total business of more than Rs 4 lakh crore over a period of 20 years at this facility in Gubbi taluk of Tumakuru, officials said.
The Prime Minister, Mr. Narendra Modi dedicated HAL’s New Helicopter Factory to the nation at Gubbi (Tumakuru) today. He hailed HAL’s efforts in strengthening ‘Aatmanirbharta’ in the defence sector by building India’s largest helicopter factory. pic.twitter.com/oFltifWabj
— HAL (@HALHQBLR) February 6, 2023
“The inauguration of the helicopter manufacturing unit of the HAL is an example of how the ‘double-engine’ (same party governing both at Centre and in State) government works,” the Prime Minister said.
The double-engine government’s focus is not just on physical infrastructure but also on social infrastructure, Modi said, adding that the government has earmarked Rs 20,000 crore on ‘Jal Jeevan Mission’ to ensure potable piped water to every house.
Paying his obeisance to Shivakumara Swamiji of Siddaganga Math, he lauded the state for being the land of saints and monks where science and spirituality go hand in hand.
“Shivakumara Swamiji had run three-pronged commensality of ‘Anna, Akshara and Aashraya’ (food, education and shelter), which is now being continued by Siddalinga Swamiji.” Shivakumara Swamiji, who died on 2019 at the age of 111 was a highly respected seer from the dominant Lingayat community, considered a key vote base of the BJP.
“With the blessings of saints, we are dedicating to public projects that will give jobs to yo uths, empower women and strengthen the army with the power of Made in India,” Modi said.
According to officials, the new industrial township on Chennai-Bengaluru Industrial Corridor on the National Highway-48 under the National Industrial Development Programme is an 8,500-acre project, which will be completed in a phased manner.
The first phase for which Modi laid the foundation will be spread over 1,722 acres and it will be a mix of industrial, residential, commercial and institutional development.
The target sectors will be food products, textile, electronics, auto and auto components, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, engineering and general industry.
Throwing light on this year’s budget, the Prime Minister informed that the budget allocation for Jal Jeevan Mission has seen an increase of 20,000 crores from last year and said that the biggest beneficiaries of this scheme are the mothers and sisters who do not have to travel afar to fetch water for their homes. He highlighted that in the last three years, the scope of the project has increased from 3 crore rural families to 11 crore rural families. Highlighting the commitment of the double-engine government, the Prime Minister noted that Rs 5,500 crores have been allocated for the Upper Bhadra Project which will benefit Tumakuru, Chickmangaluru, Chitradurga, Davangere and the drought-affected areas of central Karnataka. The Prime Minister also highlighted the benefits to the farmers who are dependent on rainwater.
The Prime Minister said that this year’s middle-class-friendly budget will give strength to everyone’s efforts for the ‘Viksit Bharat’. “This budget is a big step in the direction of Samarth Bharat, Sampann Bharat, Swayampurna Bharat, Shaktiman Bharat, Gatiwan Bharat. This is a popular, all-encompassing, all-inclusive budget that touches everyone” the Prime Minister said. He elaborated on the benefits of the budget for the deprived, youth, and women in agriculture. “We kept in mind all three aspects, your needs, assistance to be provided to you and your income”, he said.
Highlighting the provisions of the Budget that will benefit the Middle class, the Prime Minister explained the tax benefits in income tax. “There is a lot of enthusiasm in the middle class due to zero income tax on income up to Rs 7 lakh. Especially young people below 30 years, who have a new job, new business, more money will come into their account every month”, he said. Similarly, doubling the deposit limit to 30 lakhs from 15 lakhs will help retired employees and senior citizens. Tax rebate on leave encashment is now for up to 25 lakhs against 3 lakhs earlier.
Emphasizing the centrality of the financial inclusion of women, the Prime Minister said “Financial inclusion of women strengthens their voice in households and increases their participation in household decisions. In this budget, we have taken big steps for our mothers, sisters and daughters to join more and more banks. We have come up with Mahila Samman Saving Certificates.”
The Prime Minister observed the importance of millets in Karnataka and said that the country is forwarding the same belief where coarse grains have been given the identity of ‘Shri Anna’. He also highlighted the emphasis given on the production of millets in this year’s Budget and said that it will greatly benefit the small farmers of Karnataka
Chief Minister of Karnatakai Basvaraj Bommai, Union Minister for Defence Rajnath Singh, Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment A Narayanaswamy, and Ministers from Karnataka Government were present on the occasion among others.
