Long-term vision plan crucial to boost per capita income in Kalyana Karnataka, says Govinda Rao

Chairperson of the Karnataka Regional Imbalances Redressal Committee M. Govinda Rao has emphasised the urgent need for the Kalyana Karnataka Region Development Board (KKRDB) to formulate a long-term, five or 10 years, vision plan aimed at improving per capita income and the Human Development Index in the region.

Addressing a review meeting of KKRDB officials and district department heads at the KKRDB headquarters in Kalaburagi on Thursday, Prof. Rao said that the board should move forward with clearly defined priorities for the next decade.

“The board must focus on reducing regional disparities by targeting sectors identified as lagging in the D.M. Nanjundappa report. A clear action plan must be developed to address these gaps and submitted to the government. Rather than trying to fund everything, the KKRDB should channel resources into priority sectors to ensure meaningful outcomes. It is not enough to merely spend funds, as results must be visible and impactful in the lives of people,” he said.

Prof. Rao noted that no other regional board in Karnataka receives as much funding as the KKRDB, thanks to the special provisions under Article 371(J) of the Constitution. “Thousands of crores have been released. It is our responsibility to ensure that this money is used effectively and with accountability,” he stressed.

Board plan

Speaking at the meeting, KKRDB Chairperson Ajay Singh highlighted several impactful initiatives undertaken in the past two years in sectors like health, education, employment and forest conservation.

“During the Cabinet meeting in Kalaburagi in September last year, the board received approval for ₹857 crore in health projects alone. Of this, more than ₹300 crore has been utilised. Plans are also under way to establish an industrial hub to boost employment in the region,” he said.

Secretary of the board Nalini Atul presented the board’s progress report revealing that ₹5,000 crore was allocated for 2025-26 with 60% (₹3,000 crore) of the amount earmarked for micro and macro development projects, while 31% will supplement State government schemes.

“The remaining funds are reserved for discretionary and administrative use,” he said.

Committee member Sangeeta Kattimani, Planning and Statistics Department Secretary and Committee member secretary R. Vishal, Chairperson of KKRDB’s Education Expert Committee Chhaya Devagawkar, Deputy Commissioner B. Fouzya Taranum, Zilla Panchayat CEO Bhanwar Singh Meena, City Corporation Commissioner Avinash Shinde and other senior officials attended the meeting.

Engagement with civil society organisations

Following the review meeting, Prof. Rao also held a consultation with civil society organisations, gathering inputs on a wide range of development issues such as agriculture, irrigation, health, education, and unemployment. Stakeholders placed several demands including the establishment of a Railway Divisional Office in Kalaburagi, AIIMS and IIIT campuses, national project status for the Upper Krishna Project, and a special industrial incentive policy.

They also urged the Union Government to announce a special package for Kalyana Karnataka to accelerate the region’s growth. (eom)

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