PM's Mann ki Baat call syncs with Karnataka plans for India's 1st toy cluster

News Network
August 31, 2020

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Bengaluru, Aug 31: Spurred by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'vocal for local' call in his 'Mann Ki Baat' radio programme on Sunday, Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa said the country's first toy making cluster would be built at Koppal in the state's northwest region.

"In line with Modi's vision of 'vocal for local', Koppal will be India's first toy making cluster in a 400-acre special economic zone, with Rs 5,000-crore investment to create 40,000 jobs over the next 5 years," Yediyurappa said after the Prime Minister's address in his radio programme that is broadcast on the last Sunday of every month.

Koppal is about 350km northwest of Bengaluru in the southern state.

Asserting that India had the talent and ability to become the world's toy hub, Modi called upon startups to work towards harnessing the potential while being vocal about local toys.

Noting that India's share in the global toy industry was very small, the Prime Minister said it was not fair to have such a small share and all have to work towards improving it.

"The global toy industry is worth Rs 7 lakh crore. I have been thinking how can India become a toy production hub, as toys can be used to build minds. Even poet Laureate Rabindranath Tagore spoke about the importance of toys," the PM recalled.

Modi, however, referred to the world famous Channapatna toys from the state's Ramanagara district, about 60km southwest of Bengaluru towards Mysuru, while pitching India to become the global toy hub.

"Toy clusters are coming up across the country with skilled artisans who have expertise in making good toys. Some parts of the country like Channapatna in Ramanagaram in Karnataka, Kondapalli in Krishna (Andhra Pradesh), Thanjavur in Tamil Nadu, Dhubri in Assam, and Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh are developing as toy clusters," Modi said in his 30-minute talk in Hindi.

Referring to his discussions with the Children University at Gandhinagar in Gujarat and the ministries of education, women and child development and micro, small and medium enterprises, the PM said he was thinking how to make new toys available to the children and how India could become a global hub for toy production.

"Toys not only augment activity, but also give flight to our aspirations. Toys, not only entertain, but also build the mind and foster intent too," asserted Modi.

Using ivory-wood, rosewood or sandalwood, Channapatna toys are made by traditional craft, which is protected as a geographical indication under the World Trade Organisation (WTO) by the state government.

Toy-making at Channapatna dates back to the reign of Mysore ruler Tipu Sultan in the 18th century when he invited artisans from Persia to train the locals in making wooden toys.

State-run Karnataka Handicrafts Development Corporation provides assistance to the artisans with marketing efforts to promote and market the toys across the country and overseas.

aceKarnataka has a legacy of toy making. The state is focusing on building a strong toy manufacturing industry by providing the required ingredients," said State Industries Principal Secretary Gaurav Gupta here on August 25.

Addressing top toy executives in a virtual meeting, Gupta said the state was making efforts to build a world-classAclusterAfor all investors.

As part of the toy manufacturing push, the state government is inviting domestic and international toy makers to the proposed toy cluster at Koppal.

According to estimates, Karnataka is the third largestAtoysAmarket in the country, with a value of $159 million and accounts for 9 per cent of the national market.

Growing at a CAGR of 18 per cent, the state's toy market is projected to touch $310 million by 2023.

"Toy manufacturing in Karnataka is getting a renewed push after Modi's call that the Indian toy market had potential to bring about a transformative change in the industry by promoting 'Vocal for Local' under AatmaNirbhar Bharat campaign," said Gupta on the occasion.

Karnataka offers world class machine tools infrastructure, favourable labour laws for toy manufacturers with subsidies to facilitate investments.

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News Network
March 21,2025

Bengaluru: The Karnataka Assembly on Friday passed Bills doubling the salaries of the chief minister, ministers, and legislators, adding an annual burden of ₹62 crore on the exchequer.

The CM's monthly salary will increase from ₹75,000 to ₹1.5 lakh, while ministers will see a 108% hike, from ₹60,000 to ₹1.25 lakh. MLAs and MLCs will get ₹80,000 per month, up from ₹40,000, and their pension will rise from ₹50,000 to ₹75,000.

The Karnataka Ministers Salaries and Allowances (Amendment) Bill and the Karnataka Legislature Salaries, Pensions and Allowances (Amendment) Bill were passed without debate, as the Opposition BJP protested in the well of the House.

The Bills cited the rising cost of living as justification for the hike. The Assembly Speaker and Legislative Council chairperson will now receive ₹1.25 lakh per month, up from ₹75,000.

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Agencies
March 28,2025

Udupi: Deputy Commissioner K. Vidya Kumari has directed officials to expedite land acquisition for designated industrial zones in the district to facilitate new industries. She issued these instructions during a meeting at Rajatadri on Wednesday.

Lands have been identified across various taluks for industrial development. The DC emphasized that KIADB must acquire these lands and ensure essential infrastructure—electricity, roads, and drainage—to attract industries and generate employment.

A total of 77 acres of private land has been acquired and compensated, including 31.2 acres in Kerebettu village, Hebri taluk, and 45.7 acres in Shivapura village. However, approval for 36.5 acres of government land is still pending. She instructed the forest department to assess whether this land falls under an eco-sensitive zone.

For the Belapu Industrial Area, the DC urged officials to accelerate minor land acquisitions for road expansion and commence construction at the earliest. She also mandated rainwater harvesting systems for all units in the Miyaru Industrial Area to tackle water scarcity.

Currently, 22 export-based units operate in the district. The DC encouraged further promotion of exports and an increase in their number.

The meeting was attended by Joint Director of Industries Nagraj V. Naik, KIADB Development Officer Srinivasa Murthy, Small-Scale Industries Association District President Harish Kunder, Deputy Director of the District Industrial Center Seetharam Shetty, District Skill Development Officer Arun B., and others.

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News Network
March 27,2025

nandini.jpg

The Karnataka government has announced that Nandini milk will become ₹4 costlier per litre starting April 1, 2025. This is the second price hike this year.

The decision was made during a cabinet meeting led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. Karnataka Cooperation Minister K N Rajanna and Animal Husbandry Minister K Venkatesh said the increase is meant to support dairy farmers by covering the rising costs of producing and processing milk.

Officials also said that:

>> The extra money from the price hike will go directly to the milk producers.

>> The earlier ₹2 price hike (announced on June 26, 2024) will be withdrawn.

>> The new price hike of ₹4 will apply to both 500 ml and 1-litre packets.

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