Regional imbalance in Kalyana Karnataka will end in next 10 years, claims Chief Minister

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday said that the BJP played no role in securing Article 371(J) for Kalyana Karnataka region and claimed that regional imbalance can be effectively addressed within the next 10 years through sustained development initiatives.

“The special Constitutional provision has been the result of the sustained efforts of AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge, the former Chief Minister late N. Dharam Singh and the Congress leadership and that the amendment was carried out during the UPA-led government. The BJP cannot claim credit for it,” Mr. Siddaramaiah said.

He was addressing a gathering after laying the foundation stone for 82 development works and inaugurating 17 projects worth ₹906 crore in the newly declared Yadrami taluk of Kalaburagi district.

Mr. Siddaramaiah refuted the BJP’s claim that the State government lacks funds due to expenditure on guarantee schemes, terming it false propaganda.

“If the Congress government is short of funds, is it possible to take up development works worth ₹906 crore in a single taluk,” he asked.

Mr. Siddaramaiah said that the State government has spent ₹1.12 lakh crore on guarantee schemes, while continuing to invest in infrastructure and regional development.

Emphasising on delivery, he said that of the 592 promises made in the Assembly elections, 243 have already been fulfilled.

Recalling the 2013-18 Congress tenure, he said that 158 of the 165 promised programmes were implemented, apart from 30 additional welfare initiatives.

In contrast, he said that the Janata Dal(S) and BJP governments failed to implement even 10% of the nearly 600 promises they made.

On balanced regional development, the Chief Minister said that of the 63 new taluks declared in the State, development works have been taken up in only 14 taluks during the BJP’s tenure, while the Congress government initiated works in 49 taluks.

In the Kalyana Karnataka region, where 19 new taluks have been notified, development works have been undertaken in only two taluks under the BJP, whereas the Congress sanctioned works in 17 taluks.

He added that Nada Kacheri offices will be established in 25 taluks across the region.

Referring to flood relief, Mr. Siddaramaiah said that an aerial survey has been conducted in the affected districts, following which ₹1,218 crore under the SDRF and ₹1,031 crore from the State government have been released, benefiting 14.21 lakh farmers across Karnataka.

In the Kalyana Karnataka region, 7.21 lakh farmers received ₹1,072 crore, while Kalaburagi district received ₹498 crore as compensation for 3.23 lakh farmers who suffered crop loss.

The Chief Minister said that the Congress-led government has sanctioned ₹13,000 crore to the Kalyana Karnataka Regional Development Board (KKRDB) over the last three years.

He advised the board to prioritise education and healthcare, with about 25% of funds earmarked for education and announced the establishment of 300 Karnataka Public Schools in the region.

Mr. Siddaramaiah said that the Congress remains committed to eliminating regional imbalance. He urged people to continue supporting the party in the coming elections, assuring a sustained focus on inclusive and equitable development.

AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge, Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and Ministers Priyank Kharge, Sharan Prakash Patil, Krishna Byre Gowda, Madhu Bangarappa, Sharanabasappa Darshanapur and Rahim Khan were present.