Kalyana Karnataka Horata Samiti to present memorandum to Govind Rao Committee

The Kalyana Karnataka Horata Samiti will submit a memorandum to the High Power Committee for Redressal of Regional Imbalance under the chairmanship of M. Govind Rao constituted by the State government for studying the implementation of the Dr. Nanjundappa Committee report containing various aspects for consideration and inclusion in a report during its visit to Kalaburagi district on Thursday and Friday.

Founder-president of the samiti Lakshman Dasti, addressing presspersons here on Wednesday, urged the committee to effectively address both urban and rural issues by constituting taluk-level units to focus on specific needs mainly in rural areas.

The committee should consider indicators across economic, social and environmental dimensions, including health services, agriculture, education, industry, trade, forest resource, irrigation, road transportation and per capita income, reflecting the ground realities, he said.

Mr. Dasti said that according to the Nanjundappa Committee report, of the 10 taluks in undivided Kalaburagi district, nine were classified as most backward and one as backward.

Now, even though Kalaburagi and Yadgir are two districts with new taluks, considering the current status it is essential to apply scientific methods utilising data-driven insights and indicators into account for the comprehensive development of Kalyana Karnataka region, he said.

The committee should also focus on effective implementation of Article 371(J) and ensure balanced regional development across the State ensuring that all regions within the State experience equitable growth and prosperity, mitigating disparities in economic, social and infrastructure to prevent demands for statehood in future.

In 2002, the Nanjundappa Committee submitted its report to the government highlighting the backwardness of various taluks across the State. Of the 175 taluks, the report identified 35 taluks as backward, 40 taluks as more backward and 39 taluks as most backward.

Of these 39 most backward taluks, 21 were from Kalyana Karnataka region. Of the 40 more backward taluks, five were from Kalyana Karnataka region and of the 35 backward taluks, two were in Kalyana Karnataka region.

Though the implementation of the committee recommendations began in 2007, even after 18 years, the policies of the State government have not produced the desired outcomes. The development projects recommended for the region in the Nanjundappa committee report were sanctioned for the region but relocated elsewhere, he said.

The Kalyana Karnataka Regional Development Board should have a scientific action plan for the next 10 years to remove regional imbalances, he suggested.

KKCCI demand

The former president of the Kalyana Karnataka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KKCCI) Umakant Niggudagi also urged the Govind Rao Committee to consider formulating an industrial policy for Kalyana Karnataka region, establish an investment promotion board, get the State government to allocate funds for infrastructure development of industrial estate, organise a Global Investors Meet in Kalaburagi.

The former MLC Amarnath Patil sought the establishment of an incubation centre in the region for providing support and resources to help new business and start-ups. He said that the State government should present an exclusive budget for Kalyana Karnataka region during the State Annual Budget presentation.