Regional imbalance: Experts seek 10-year blueprint for Kalyana Karnataka

A round-table conference of experts, academics, development activists and representatives from seven districts of Kalyana Karnataka has unanimously demanded a scientific and time-bound action plan for the region's comprehensive development, with a long-term vision of five to ten years.

The conference, organised by the Kalyana Karnataka Horata Samiti at Sharnbasva University in Kalaburagi on Friday, reviewed the region's development status in the light of the Govindrao Committee report on regional imbalance. It also examined the measures needed to accelerate growth. Basavaraj Deshmukh, honorary president of the Samiti, chaired the session, while founder-president Lakshman Dasti coordinated the proceedings.

Participants from Bidar, Kalaburagi, Raichur, Yadgir, Ballari, Koppal and Vijayanagara districts analysed the development indicators and recommendations of the Govindrao Committee and compared them with the parameters of the earlier Nanjundappa Committee report.

Speakers expressed concern over what they said was a lack of clarity in the Govindrao Committee report for formulating development programmes. Raichur-based development activist Razak Ustad noted that the allocation of ₹42,000 crore for 172 backward taluks did not appear to be based on a clear scientific method for prioritising interventions. He urged the government to prepare a time-bound action plan based on definite development indicators.

Basavaraj Kalasa, president of the Raichur AIIMS Struggle Committee, called for a united effort by political leaders and development organisations across the seven districts to pressurise the government for a comprehensive and long-term plan.

Educationist Dhanraj of Gangavathi stressed the need to improve the quality of primary education in Kalyana Karnataka through grassroots planning and implementation. Former HKCCI president Umakant Nigudagi urged effective implementation of the special status granted to the region and demanded a separate industrial policy to generate employment.

The conference resolved that the government should prepare a scientific five-to-ten-year action plan for the holistic development of Kalyana Karnataka. It also decided that the Kalyana Karnataka Region Development Board should, apart from routine budgetary schemes, focus on neglected sectors, villages and taluks and prepare a separate five-year action plan with measurable and time-bound targets.

Participants also decided to seek an early meeting with the Chief Minister through a delegation comprising representatives from the seven districts and ministers from the region to press for comprehensive development measures.

The conference called for measures to create employment opportunities in both agricultural and non-agricultural sectors to prevent migration. It also sought separate industrial, agricultural and education policies for Kalyana Karnataka.

The participants extended support to the ongoing demand for an AIIMS in Raichur and resolved to urge ministers and legislators from the seven districts to demonstrate collective political will and lead an all-party delegation to the Centre. They also decided to support the demand for adequate compensation for the Karanja project-affected people in Bidar.

The conference further called for development programmes based on the indicators suggested by the Govindrao Committee, with emphasis on human development, education, agriculture and non-agricultural sectors. It also demanded pressure on the Union government to establish a railway divisional headquarters in Kalaburagi.

Mr. Dasti said the region needed a clear development roadmap rather than isolated schemes. “The development of Kalyana Karnataka has to be taken up through a time-bound and scientific action plan covering all seven districts,” he said. The conference’s resolutions underline the growing demand for a structured approach to addressing long-standing regional disparities in the area.