Priority on balanced development in Kalyana Karnataka, says govt official

Koppal: Dr Vishal R, secretary to the govt in the department of fiscal reforms and planning and member-secretary of the Karnataka Regional Imbalance Redressal Committee, highlighted the importance of achieving balanced and comprehensive development of the Kalyana Karnataka region.

He expressed this objective at a district-level meeting of the Karnataka Regional Imbalance Redressal Committee held at the Zilla Panchayat hall on Tuesday.

He noted that the committee, chaired by economist Prof M Govinda Rao, was formed to assess both developed and underdeveloped taluks. This initiative is particularly relevant as the Dr DM Nanjundappa report is nearly 22 years old, and the number of taluks in Karnataka increased from 175 to 240.

Dr Vishal further explained that the committee pinpointed 40 to 50 indicators for in-depth analysis, taking into account the current human development index. New recommendations will be developed based on these analyses, along with a review of the Dr DM Nanjundappa report.

The committee aims to concentrate on the development of the backward regions in Kalyana Karnataka and Kittur Karnataka, actively seeking local input through visits to districts and taluks.

MLA and CM's economic advisor Basavaraj Rayareddy pointed out the developmental disparities when compared to the Mysuru region. MP K Rajashekar Hitnal acknowledged the ongoing need for development despite the findings of the Nanjundappa report. MLA Hemalatha Nayak expressed concerns regarding educational shortcomings, noting that 7,000 children in the district are without basic literacy skills, in addition to health challenges faced by women and insufficient medical facilities.

Deputy commissioner Nalin Atul stressed the importance of addressing climate change and advancing educational initiatives, while zilla panchayat CEO Rahul Ratnam Pandey spoke about staffing shortages in Kalyana Karnataka departments, proposing minimum service periods for the newly appointed staff.

Local farmers and leaders from various organisations called for improved irrigation systems and strategies to curb migration. The meeting included committee member ST Bagalkoti, Kuda chairman Srinivas Gupta, ADC Sidrameshwar, and other district officials.