Govt committed to N.Karna devpt, 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 extend 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 against recommended allocation of Rs 31,000 crore for development of 114 backward talukas of North Karnataka since 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 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 of separate statehood for North Karnataka, Siddaramaiah said it was not a solution for ending 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 the residents of the region that the government will scrap SDP being implemented since 2008 as per Nanjundappa report," he added.

Siddaramaiah said the government will fous on improving literacy level, reduce school dropout rate, mortality rate and improve per capita income, irrigation, industrial development and connectivity in North Karnataka.
He said Kalasa-Banduri project, which aims to provide 7.56 tmc water for drinking in Hubli and surrounding areas, will be pursued. He also said 54,000 children are malnourished in the state and 22,000 of them are in North Karnataka.
The government has also given green signal to investment proposals of Rs 23,165 crore in North Karnataka which will create 34,800 jobs, Siddaramaiah said.