Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Jun 17: Minister of state (independent charge) in the union department of commerce and industry, Nirmala Sitharaman, announced that a 'start-up incubation centre' has been sanctioned for the city and that the same will become functional within the next four months.

She was speaking to media persons after conducting spot inspection of the site for housing start-up incubation centre at the city corporation's sub office at Mallikatta here on Friday June 16.

"The centre will begin with an investment of Rs 1.18 crore and that initially 60 start-up companies will be provided opportunities here. This centre is being opened to provide basic facilities to people trying to bag an employment to instead undertake self employment units here," she explained.

The minister stated that start-up companies can function here for a specific term and that all necessary facilities will be provided for these companies in the second floor of the city corporation sub office here. She added that Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Nitte University, and innovation hub of National lnstitute of Technology, Karnataka, will extend assistance for this centre along with The National Association of Software and Services Companies (NASSCOM).

The minister noted that the city corporation here has provided suitable space required for the centre, and it is the responsibility of the deputy commissioner of the district to develop the centre properly. She asked deputy commissioner of Dakshina Kannada district, K G Jagadeesh, to provide technical assistance, separate cabins, power, 4G internet facility, 3D printers, cafeteria and other facilities which the companies might need.

"Start-up companies can function in the incubation centre for a week or a month. They get opportunity to hold consultation with intending customers about the marketing of their products," she said. Noting that coastal Karnataka has rich human resource for this purpose, she said that the area is also ideal for industry and the youth from the area are enterprising. She added that this centre is being opened to ensure that the youth do not immigrate to other places after education in search of jobs. "Being a representative of Karnataka in Rajya Sabha, I have provided grant for the centre, and I am ready to provide additional grant if necessary," she announced.

MPs, Nalin Kumar Kateel and Shobha Karandlaje, city mayor, Kavita Sanil, deputy mayor, Rajaneesh Kapikad, former MLA, Yogish Bhat, Monappa Bhandary, leader of the opposite in city corporation, Ganesh Hosabettu, city corporation commissioner, Nazeer, and several BJP leaders were present.