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A 30-member Federation of Karnataka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FKCCI) delegation led by its President-Elect Sudhakar S. Shetty met Karnataka Chief Minister H. D. Kumaraswamy at Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru earlier this month.
In a 30-minute interaction, the delegation apprised the CM about various issues that the industries are facing. The FKCCI wanted trade licences to be abolished for all sizes of businesses, including MSMEs. The MSMEs face harassment while applying for trade licence renewal annually. Thus, the delegation urged the CM to ensure that the trade licence should be renewed once in 10 years.
The FKCCI delegation also told the CM that while the government’s encouragement to women entrepreneurs is laudable, but the allocation limit of 2 crores is insufficient. To help more number of women entrepreneurs set up industries in the state, the government needs to allocate more funds.
The delegation also told the CM that the minimum wages for workers should be determined in comparison with the neighbouring states, and the wages should be limited to 15 per cent to 20 per cent of the current wages. The MSMEs cannot afford the steep increase of 50 per cent to 125 per cent prescribed by the Labour department. Therefore, MSMEs should be treated separately in fixing minimum wages.
The FKCCI members wanted the government to set up a separate Trade ministry so that matters affecting trade such as bank charges, FDI, E-commerce or APMC can be properly represented.
The delegation also urged the CM to initiate development of North Karnataka to mitigate economic imbalances.
Shetty said that the CM gave the delegation a patient hearing and took notes.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
