We cannot copy Andhra Pradesh’s methods to invite investment, says minister

Minister MB Patil accompanied by Minister Satish Jarkiholi during the commencement of work for ‘Guttigedarara Bhavan’ in Vijayapur on Sunday. | Photo credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

“Some of the measures taken by Andhra Pradesh to invite industrial investment seem to lack financial discipline. Karnataka cannot copy such methods,” Heavy and Medium Industries Minister MB Patil said in Vijayapur on Sunday (August 30, 2026).

“Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu is offering land to industries at one rupee per acre and giving 100% incentives in terms of subsidies and tax exemptions. Just because they are doing that, we cannot copy them. Everything will have to be done with financial discipline,” he said.

He was speaking at the commencement of work on ‘Guttigedarara Bhavan’, a meeting hall for contractors, during the silver jubilee celebrations of the contractors’ association.

“We all know that the contractors in the state are suffering due to the mistakes of the previous BJP government. The BJP government did not maintain financial discipline and started awarding work contracts without sufficient budget allocation. This has led to a situation where many contractors have a lot of pending bills. But then we cannot blame them and remain silent. I am sure that Chief Minister DKending Satrehomar is making efforts to get the minister to release Public Works Satrehomar. invoices of the contractors, he said.

Satish Jarkiholi said the BJP government has issued work orders worth over Rs 12,000 crore without budgetary support. “The work started in earnest but there was no money to pay. This led to a long delay in paying the bills to the contractors. It is unfortunate that their mistake has put our government and you in a dilemma,” he told the contractors.

“Karnataka followed the system of paying bills to contractors once in three months. But the BJP government has started approving works in an unscientific manner without budgetary support,” he said.

The CM held an important meeting with the officials to settle outstanding bills. He assured that all bills would be paid soon. Smaller suppliers will be paid first,” he said.

Earlier, the budget for pothole filling was one million rupees. However, we are now releasing grants based on estimates. Work to fill 90 percent of the potholes is almost over. We have some solutions to traffic congestion and road safety issues on national highways,” he said.

He said the state government has also decided to extend the license period of contractors to 10 years.

Shri Sugnanand Mahaswami CR Roodagi, President of Vijayapura District Unit of Contractors Association, MLA Vitthal Katakadhond, former MLA Raju Alagurana and others were present.

Published – 31 Aug 2026 05:20 IST