Sankalpa Samarpana Samavesha in Sandur draws massive turnout

The Sankalpa Samarpana Samavesha–2025 held at Vittalapur in Sandur taluk on Wednesday witnessed an overwhelming turnout, as thousands gathered for the official programme organised jointly by the Sandur Taluk Administration and the Taluk Panchayat.

Inaugurating the event on the Government Pre-University College premises, Labour Minister Santosh S. Lad said that the Siddaramaiah-led Government’s foremost commitment was to work for the development of the State’s most marginalised communities. Recalling his long-standing connection with the region, he said his political journey began in Vittalapur and that the people of Sandur had first elected him to the Legislative Assembly.

“In 2004, severe power shortages meant even a 40-watt bulb struggled to glow in many villages. Establishing a power substation here in Vittalapur was the first major step in illuminating the region,” he said.

He added that, through phased development, Sandur had since been transformed into a model taluk. He recalled that his government had implemented the crucial drinking water project from the Tungabhadra reservoir to supply water to 80,000 households across 80 villages. “Today, through the five guarantee schemes, the government is sincerely spending ₹60,000 crore every year for the uplift of the poor and deprived,” he said.

Lok Sabha Member from Ballari E. Thukaram said that Sandur had received nearly ₹4,700 crore in grants since 2004, helping it progress from one of the most backward taluks identified in the Nanjundappa Report to a developing and aspirational region. He noted that drinking water challenges in 132 villages had been resolved through a ₹425-crore multi-village water supply project. He added that the Clinic on Wheels initiative, which provides doorstep healthcare services at an annual operational cost of ₹1.60 lakh, was the first of its kind in the country. He stressed that the Siddaramaiah Government was committed to upholding constitutional values and that efforts were underway to ensure the integrated development of the entire Ballari region using parliamentary funds.

Sandur MLA E. Annapoorna said that significant improvements had been made in the taluk’s drinking water, healthcare, road infrastructure, and educational facilities. She said that one of the notable concerns earlier was the case of 82 girls who had discontinued studies after SSLC due to the absence of a pre-university college nearby. “Recognising this, the government established a PU college right here in Vittalapur. All these girls have now resumed their education, and this is a matter of great pride. We have ensured that no child in border villages is forced to drop out due to lack of access,” she said.

During the event, families who had donated land for school and college construction across Sandur were felicitated. Several development projects were launched, including the ₹89.64-crore multi-village drinking water project covering Kodal and 36 other villages, the ₹39-crore 110/11 kV power distribution substation at Antapur, and the inauguration of an upgraded 5 MVA transformer at the 33/11 kV substation in Vittalapur costing ₹2 crore. Additionally, new transformers and electric poles worth ₹6.60 crore were installed across four gram panchayats.

Various welfare benefits were distributed during the programme. Women from self-help groups received cheques under multiple schemes; beneficiaries under micro-irrigation and agricultural mechanisation schemes received their sanction orders; unorganised workers received smart cards and tool kits from Labour Department; and beneficiaries of Dr. Ambedkar Development Corporation and Devaraj Urs Corporation received loan sanction letters.