Bengaluru — N. Ravi Kumar, Chief Whip of the Opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Council, on Tuesday alleged that several industries are leaving the state due to inadequate infrastructure. Speaking during the question hour, he warned that the exodus of businesses has resulted in significant job losses for the youth.
Industrial Migration and Job Losses
Kumar cited examples such as Toyota’s Rs 25,000 crore investment moving to Maharashtra. He added that numerous companies have shifted to Telangana, Tamil Nadu, and other states, leading to the closure of 754 factories and the loss of 46,500 jobs over the past two years.
According to Kumar, key issues driving the migration include poor road networks, irregular water supply, and inconsistent electricity in Bengaluru and other parts of Karnataka. He urged the state government to improve infrastructure to retain industries and protect employment opportunities.
Government Response
Replying on behalf of Large and Medium Industries Minister MB Patil, Urban Development Minister Byrathi Suresh defended the government, stating that no industry had left the state solely due to infrastructure concerns.
Suresh highlighted that 2,028 new projects have been approved over the past three years, expected to generate 7,16,148 jobs with an investment of Rs 5,11,732 crore. So far, 81 projects have begun operations, contributing to 1,06,225 jobs and investments of Rs 69,564 crore.
Factors Behind Factory Closures
The minister explained that recent factory shutdowns were largely due to financial or arbitration issues and were not linked to government infrastructure failures. He reiterated that the administration is committed to supporting industries and fostering growth across the state.