Six decades after unification, North K’taka still neglected, say experts

Dharwad: More than six decades after Karnataka’s unification, North Karnataka continues to face systemic neglect in infrastructure, irrigation, agriculture, education, healthcare and industrial development, experts said at a conclave organised by the Karnataka Vidyavardhaka Sangha (KVS) on the Prof M Govinda Rao Committee report on regional imbalance.Citing statistical evidence, speakers argued that despite multiple committees and government initiatives, the region has not received its fair share of development.Delivering the keynote address, senior legal expert Lohit Naikar held local political leaders equally responsible for the region’s backwardness. He also blamed the lack of public pressure on successive governments, saying people had failed to assert their rights and demand equitable development.

A comparison of allocations to North and South Karnataka over the decades clearly highlights the disparity, he said.Inaugurating the conclave, MLC Hemalatha Nayak said that large parts of North Karnataka continue to grapple with poverty and lag in literacy, healthcare, irrigation, agriculture, and industrial growth. She identified Koppal, Ballari, Vijayanagara and Yadgir among the worst-affected districts and assured that the issues raised would be taken up in the legislative council.

Subject experts examined various facets of regional imbalance. Writer Siddanagouda Patil spoke on basic infrastructure, T R Chandrashekhar on human development, and Shivasundar on regional backwardness and poor implementation of committee recommendations. Former WALMI director Rajendra Poddar discussed agriculture and irrigation, while former vice-chancellor Mallika Ghanti highlighted women’s empowerment.

Educationist V P Niranjanaradhya addressed education and culture, Dr Sanjeev Kulkarni spoke on healthcare, and B D Hiremath presented statistical evidence on injustices faced by the region.Concluding the discussions, KVS working president Basavaprabhu Hosakeri said the Krishna basin has around 760 tmcft of water compared to 218 tmcft in the Cauvery basin, yet the Upper Krishna Project, launched in 1964, remains incomplete, reflecting continued neglect.He added that North Karnataka has lost opportunities in employment, higher education, irrigation, industries and infrastructure over the past five to six decades. Apart from securing a high court bench and the south western railway zone, the region has seen few major institutional gains. He also noted that while Kempegowda is widely celebrated, the contributions of Alur Venkatrao, Siddappa Kambli and other regional leaders remain largely overlooked.