Committed to North Karnataka's devt: CM

Seeking to allay fears, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah today said the government would extend the implementation of Dr Nanjundappa Committee report on regional imbalance under a Special Development Plan (SDP) for the development of backward North Karnataka.

"There should not be any doubt that government will not extend the SDP for development of North Karnataka. It is committed to extending the implementation of Nanjundappa Report," he said in reply to a debate on regional imbalance, particularly in North Karnataka, in the state Assembly in session here.

Since only Rs 13,566 crore were spent, as against the recommended allocation of Rs 31,000 crore for development of 114 backward taluks of North Karnataka from 2003, the government, he said, has decided to set up a high-level committee headed by the Development Commissioner to monitor developmental works.

The Chief Minister announced a Rs 400 crore allocation next month, adding, the government was committed to spending Rs 1,000 crore for development of North Karnataka. Countering the demands for statehood for North Karnataka, Siddaramaiah said it was not a solution to ending the regional imbalance and informed that all 30,000 vacancies in the region will be filled by June.

Raising the issue, Opposition leader Jagadish Shettar urged the government to announce a special package of Rs 30,000 crore for the development of North Karnataka. Shettar also sought extension of the implementation of Nanjundappa report by another five years.

"There is a feeling among residents of the region that the government will scrap the SDP being implemented from 2008 as per the Nanjundappa report," he added. Siddaramaiah said the government will focus on improving the literacy level, reducing the school dropout rate, mortality rate and on improving the per capita income, irrigation, industrial development and connectivity in North Karnataka.

He said, the Kalasa-Banduri project, which aims to provide 7.56 tmc water for drinking in Hubli and the surrounding areas, will be pursued. He also said that 54,000 children are malnourished in the state and 22,000 of them are in North Karnataka.

The government has also given the green signal to investment proposals of Rs 23,165 crore in North Karnataka which will create 34,800 jobs, Siddaramaiah said.