In search of good governance that can make the running of their businesses smooth, over 500 industrialists and business aspirants from Maharashtra’s border district of Sangli are set to expand or start businesses in northern Karnataka. Reportedly, 600 acres of land has been identified in Kagwad, Lokur, Shedbal and Athani villages in Belgaum district of Karnataka. However, the industrialists said that no formalities have been initiated in earmarking or acquiring the land. For the first time, over 250 small scale industrialists from the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) in Sangli have come together to form the Advantage Karnataka Industrial Association (AKIA), an independent body to be registered soon under the Societies Act, Karnataka. The body has been inviting applications under a format called ‘Intent of Establishment of Industry in North Karnataka adjoining Maharashtra border of Sangli district’. On November 30, day one of organisation, over 300 forms were submitted, while on day two the number reached 450. “We have been running businesses in MIDC since 1975. Initially, the industries here were exempted from octroi. In 1997, when the area came under the Sangli-Miraj-Kupwad Municipal Corporation, tax exemption was withdrawn. After rounds of talks, octroi between 0.25 to 1.25 per cent was being charged. Today, we are paying 2.5 per cent — when no other state charges octroi on raw material for industries, as they are not meant for consumption in specified municipal area,” said Deepak Shinde, former president of Sangli-Miraj MIDC Manufacturers’ Association. While the MIDC has remained the custodian of the infrastructure of the area, the municipal corporation, now 14 years old, has apparently not been providing infrastructural support to the industries here. “We are tired of requesting the authorities. Our time is spent in going to Mumbai and following up with the municipal authorities rather than running our own businesses. A proposal to convert MIDC into Industrial Township was passed three years ago by the general body, but the file is pending at the Chief Minister’s office,” said Sanjay Aranake, president of the Association. Municipal Commissioner Dattatray Parashram Metke-Deshmukh said, “The construction of roads here has been in the planning stage.” The district is also home to many politicians. Sangli is the hometown of Patangrao Kadam, Forests minister. Home minister R R Patil’s constituency Tasgaon is in Sangli. But according to Sambhaji H Pawar, the BJP MLA, “The Congress and NCP have been playing the blame game.”