Article 371(J) has opened new opportunities for Kalyana Karnataka: Raghumurthy

Article 371(J) of the Constitution, which accorded Special Status to Kalyana Karnataka, has opened new opportunities for the people of the region in education, employment, and infrastructure development, Minister for Scheduled Tribes Welfare T. Raghumurthy said on Thursday.

Addressing the 79th Kalyana Karnataka Utsav after unfurling the national flag at the Government Pre-University College grounds in Ballari, Mr. Raghumurthy said the government was committed to the comprehensive development of the region, social justice, and the welfare of its people.

“The Special Status provided to the region under Article 371(J) during the UPA government had created opportunities in education, employment, and infrastructure. The provision helped address some of the developmental challenges faced by the region,” he said.

According to Mr. Raghumurthy, the Kalyana Karnataka Region Development Board had taken up development works with an expenditure of around ₹18,000 crore. Of this, ₹2,202 crore is being spent on education, ₹2,071 crore on health, ₹974 crore on employment, ₹498 crore on backward classes, ₹638 crore on SC/ST development, and ₹313 crore on minority welfare. Around ₹425 crore had been allocated for groundwater-related works, ₹1,000 crore for Kalyana Patha, and ₹166 crore for Praja Soudhas, he said.

Recalling the region’s integration with the Indian Union, the Minister said the area remained under the Nizam’s rule even after India attained Independence. The Razakars had unleashed violence on people opposing the Nizam’s rule, he said. Following the military operation led by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and Jawaharlal Nehru, the region became part of the Indian Union on September 17, 1948.

On the drought situation, Mr. Raghumurthy said 101 taluks had been declared drought-hit based on deficient rainfall and a prolonged dry spell. “More taluks would be added if they met the prescribed criteria. The government has also submitted a proposal seeking assistance from the Centre and is taking steps to provide drinking water and fodder and generate employment under the VB-G RAM G programme to prevent distress migration,” he said.

Lok Sabha Member from Ballari, E. Tukaram, said successive governments had taken steps to address regional disparities and that Article 371(J) had helped provide greater opportunities to the people of Kalyana Karnataka.

Activists who had contributed to the implementation of Article 371(J) were felicitated, and various competitions were organised as part of the celebrations.