Published Feb 04, 2026 | 3:05 PM ⚊ Updated Feb 04, 2026 | 3:05 PM
MB Patil at the Dakshin Dialogues.
Synopsis: Karnataka Industries Minister MB Patil stresses on worker protections through the 2025 Gig Workers Act and new Industrial Policy. He highlighted Karnataka’s strategic Davos engagement, South India’s role as India’s growth engine, and unprecedented investment conversions—₹4.7 lakh crore implemented from 2025 commitments. Patil underscored social security, employment incentives, and global competitiveness as key priorities.
Karnataka Minister of Commerce and Industries, MB Patil, inaugurated Dakshin Dialogues, the annual thought conclave of South First, on Wednesday, 28 January, in Bengaluru.
He delivered the inaugural address, discussing concerns and solutions regarding India’s working class, as well as new ideas, innovations, and achievements from a southern perspective.
Patil highlighted Karnataka’s focus on protecting workers’ rights, especially in emerging sectors.
He said, “Karnataka Platform Based Gig Workers Social Security and Welfare Development Act creates a welfare board, welfare fund, obligations for platform aggregators, and transparency measures.”
“The new Industrial Policy 2025–30 includes incentives for employment generation and special incentives for women workers. It also guarantees social security, workplace protections, access to public services, and economic stability for workers across sectors, he added.
Patil spoke about Karnataka’s strategic approach at the Davos event.
“Karnataka deliberately prioritised engagement with foreign organisations (networking, discussing ecosystems, talent, and incentives) rather than signing numerous MoUs with Indian firms – as in previous years,” he said.
“The focus was on learning global trends and future opportunities instead of domestic deal-signing. Media reports of ₹13,500 crores in investments but contrasts this with other states’ potentially inflated figures from signing more MoUs.”
Patil proudly stated that, for the first time in Karnataka’s history, about 50 percent of the investment commitments from the Global Investors’ Meet 2025 (total committed: ₹10.27 lakh crore) have already been implemented on the ground.
In just 11 months, ₹4.7 lakh crore of those commitments have been converted into actual projects. He said this as an unprecedented strong conversion rate.
Patil called South India as the ‘primary driver’ of India’s economic progress.
He cites recent data showing the region outperformed the national average: 6.3 percent economic growth in 2023–24 (vs 5 percent nationally), stronger per capita income growth, and southern states collectively contributing nearly 1/3rd of India’s GDP.
Patil positions South India as a leader in advanced manufacturing, IT, electronics, renewable energy, aerospace, defense, and technology-driven industries, shaping India’s shift to higher-value sectors.
