Minister Jagadish Shettar sets up Coastal Development Vision Group

Coastal Development Vision Group announced by minister for large and medium industries Jagadish Shettar at the Karnataka Coastline Business Conclave 2021 is now a reality.

Organized by Karnataka unit of The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) in Mangaluru in March under the stewardship of its state unit president Ullas Kamath, the vision group has captains of the industry representing its diverse spectrum. 

Ullas Kamath will head the vision group. Members of the group are Isaac Vas, president, Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Vishal Hegde, pro-chancellor (admin), Nitte (Deemed to be University) (medical education); Manjunath Bhandary, Chairman, Bhandary Foundation (technical education); Pradeep G Pai (FMCG sector); Prakash Kalbhavi (cashew industry); Gaurav Hegde (MSME); Pranjal Ghate, assistant director (research), NMPT; Yogish Nayak, chief general manager (finance), MRPL; A Senthil Vel, Dean, College of Fisheries; Abhay Hanjura, founder, Licious group, (marine food); Capt John Prasad Menezes (maritime); Vathika Pai (tourism & hospitality); Jithendra S Kottari (real estate); G Nandagopal Shenoy (consultant); and Giridhar Kamath (chartered accountant).

The managing director of Karnataka Udyoga Mitra will be the ex-officio member secretary of this Vision Group that will focus on the development of the 320-km long coastline that Karnataka has. The group will suggest activities that will foster both economic and non-economic activities in the coastal districts. It will also focus on attracting investment opportunities towards this stated objective. 

The focus will be on improving basic amenities. The group will advise the government on any or all opportunities for the integrated development of the coastal region. The Vision Group under its scope of engagement can also rope in special invitees who in its express opinion may contribute towards the stated objective of the development of the region. 

The minister set up the Vision group to prepare Coastal Development Vision Report 2030 on a request from the Karnataka unit of FICCI. The whole idea of setting up this Vision Group is to decentralize the development process in Karnataka, which presently is Bengaluru centric for historic and administrative reasons. The government under Jagadish Shettar, also former chief minister is striving to take the fruits of development to all geographical regions of the state and ensure its equitable growth in the process.

This post has been published in arrangement with Jaideep J Shenoy