The High-Level Clearance Committee, chaired by Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, approved nine new projects and eight proposals for additional investments totalling Rs 296,790 million (mn) in the state's industrial sector. A government release said the approvals are expected to create 66,360 jobs and aim to bolster manufacturing and renewable energy capacity. The meeting took place in Bengaluru with senior officials present. Under the new projects, Vibrancy Renewable Energies will invest Rs 21,949.4 million (mn) and provide employment for 30,000 people while Mahindra Aerostructures will commit Rs 23,000 million (mn) and create 3,000 jobs. Aequs Consumer Products plans Rs 11,040 million (mn) of investment and Hero Future Energies will invest Rs 97,600 million (mn) to expand operations and generate 3,200 jobs. The clearance also covers proposed investments by Epsilon and Toyota Kirloskar of Rs 15,000 million (mn) and Rs 12,000 million (mn) respectively. Nirani Sugars is slated to invest Rs 40,620 million (mn), TruAlt Bioenergy Rs 29,880 million (mn) and Lighthouse Alternative Assets Rs 6,000 million (mn), according to the release. The committee approved additional capital from existing firms, with MSPL planning an incremental Rs 8,842.5 million (mn) and other expansions by Honda Cars, Bhima Fine Chemicals, Sansera, TVS Motors and Havells India. Reported incremental investments for the latter include sums such as Rs 4,370 million (mn), Rs 6,050 million (mn) and Rs 10,500 million (mn) for select firms. The Chief Minister directed the Finance Department to thoroughly scrutinise project reports submitted for industrial licences and instructed that a pre?clearance audit be made mandatory, with officials to constitute a new audit team for this purpose. He emphasised strict compliance with all provisions of the industrial policy and urged measures to encourage establishment and expansion of industries across the state. Ministers and senior administrators at the meeting included MB Patil, KJ George, Priyank Kharge, Ajay Singh, PM Narendra Swamy and Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh.