Karnataka’s Home Minister Priyank Kharge addressing a media conference at Aiwan-e-Shahi Guest House in Kalaburagi on September 16, 2026.
| Photo Credit: ARUN KULKARNI
Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar will launch development work worth ₹1,775.41 crore across the seven districts of Kalyana Karnataka during his two-day visit to Kalaburagi for the Kalyana Karnataka Utsav, Home, IT-BT and e-Governance Minister Priyank Kharge said on September 16. Mr. Kharge is the minister in charge of Kalaburagi district.
Addressing a press conference at the Aiwan-e-Shahi Guest House in Kalaburagi, Mr. Kharge said the Chief Minister would hoist the national flag and address the people at the Kalyana Karnataka Utsav in the Police Parade Ground on September 17.
“Mr. Shivakumar will first pay floral tributes to the statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel at S.V.P. Circle at 8.30 a.m. and then proceed to the Police Parade Ground for the flag-hoisting and the utsav. He will launch development work worth ₹1,775.41 crore for the seven districts of Kalyana Karnataka. The package includes foundation-laying for 557 projects estimated at ₹1,071.56 crore, and the inauguration of 244 completed projects executed at a cost of ₹703.85 crore,” Mr. Kharge said.
Decision on drought after two weeks
Responding to questions on drought, Mr. Kharge said Karnataka could declare a drought only in accordance with the guidelines of the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF), which functions under the Union Government.
“BJP leaders in Karnataka stage protest here demanding drought relief. They should instead go to Delhi and press the Union Government, led by their own party, to simplify the NDRF guidelines and provide relief to farmers. The State Government has repeatedly urged the Centre to simplify the guidelines as the existing norms are causing hardship to farmers, but the Centre has not responded. We will monitor the rainfall situation for another two weeks, obtain reports from the districts, and take further action,” he said.
Recalling the farm loan waiver announced by the UPA government led by prime minister Manmohan Singh (2004-14), Mr. Kharge urged the BJP-led Union Government to waive farm loans and provide relief to drought-hit farmers.
‘Vande Mataram debate aimed at diverting attention’
On the rendition of ‘Vande Mataram’, Mr. Kharge said the BJP was using the issue to divert public attention from problems such as drought and unemployment.
“The BJP does not want to discuss the real issues faced by the people, such as drought and unemployment. It is using Vande Mataram to cover up its failures. The issue of how many stanzas should be sung was settled long ago in consultation with national leaders such as Jawaharlal Nehru, Vallabhbhai Patel, and Rabindranath Tagore,” he said.
GESCOM Chairperson Praveen Patil Harawal and Legislative Council member Tippannappa Kamaknur were among those present at the press conference.
Published – September 16, 2026 03:07 pm IST
