Decision to establish a separate ministry for Kalyana Karnataka;Approval of Rs.11,770 crore for the development of Kalyana Karnataka region says CM Siddaramaiah

Binish Thomas (Sub-Editor)

Permission to upgrade Bidar and Raichur towns to city municipalities.

Drinking water project for villages in Bidar and Kalaburagi.

At the state cabinet meeting held in Kalaburagi, a total of Rs.11,770 crore worth of projects related to 46 issues concerning the Kalyana Karnataka region were approved.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah informed that the cabinet has approved the upgrading of Bidar and Raichur towns to city municipalities and a Rs.7,200 crore drinking water project for villages in Bidar and Kalaburagi.

He was speaking at a press conference after the cabinet meeting held today in Kalaburagi.

In today’s meeting,56 issues were discussed,of which 46 were related to the Kalyana Karnataka region.The cabinet considered a total of Rs.12,692 crore worth of projects.The water project to bring water from Narayanapura Dam is under a central government partnership, with half of the Rs.7,200 crore funding expected from the central government,he added.

Decision to request Rs.5,000 crore from the Centre:

Every year,Rs.5,000 crore is being released for the development of Kalyana Karnataka.However,the central government has not provided any funds for this region since the implementation of Article 371J.As a result,it has been decided to request Rs.5,000 crore from the central government for the development of the region.

Steps to fill vacant positions

The Chief Minister mentioned that steps will be taken to fill 17,439 vacant positions in the Kalyana Karnataka region in phases.

Implementation of Article 371J during the Congress government:

Today,the Kalyana Karnataka Utsav was celebrated as it is the region’s Liberation Day. From 2013 to 2018,during our government’s term,a cabinet meeting was held in Kalaburagi in 2014 to address the pressing issues of the Kalyana Karnataka region.

Article 371J was implemented in 2012 under the leadership of Prime Minister,Manmohan Singh,thanks to the efforts of Mallikarjun Kharge and Dharam Singh.The law was implemented in 2013, and our government made sincere efforts to enforce it.

Committee to assess the status of backward taluks:

In 2002,as per the Nanjundappa report,a committee was set up to address regional imbalances.Currently,another committee,chaired by Dr.Govinda Rao,has been formed to assess the status of the taluks in this region.After receiving the committee’s report,steps will be taken to develop backward taluks.

Decision to build 45 Primary Health Centers:

It has been approved to build 45 Primary Health Centers and 31 Community Health Centers in the Kalyana Karnataka region.Additionally,9 taluk hospitals will be upgraded,and 2 taluk hospitals will be upgraded to district hospitals,with a total expenditure of Rs.890 crore.