Kalyana Karnataka board will be revamped, says CM Basavaraj Bommai

BENGALURU: Chief minister Basavaraj Bommai on Thursday informed the assembly that his government would take immediate steps to reconstitute the Kalyana Karnataka Regional Development Board (KKRDB) and appoint its permanent secretary.
Replying to a debate on education, health and finance in the region, he made a slew of promises, including establishing textile and IT parks, filling of vacancies across departments and releasing adequate funds.He added the cell to oversee development will be shifted from Bengaluru to Kalaburagi.
“We’re committed to fulfilling the provisions of Article 371 J and committed to the region’s development. We’re taking immediate steps such as reconstitution of KKRDB, shifting the monitoring cell and taking up a recruitment drive,” he added.
The KKRDB, constituted under Article 371 J, ensures special provisions for development of the region. It has been virtually defunct as the government hadn’t nominated members and chairman of the board; an in-charge secretary is overseeing the administration.
He said Rs 1,500 crore has been sanctioned to KKRDB and Rs 500 crore more has been earmarked and the government proposes to release an additional Rs 3,000 crore as promised on the occasion of Kalyana Karnataka Liberation Day on September 17. He clarified his statement that he’d release the additional fund only if authorities successfully spent available funds. “I deliberately made that statement to bring in much-needed traction to implement projects,” he said.
Minister for law and parliamentary affairs JC Madhuswamy said the government will fill vacancies. “There were 34,000 vacancies, of which 14,800 posts were filled. We’ve started the process to fill the rest. A notification was issued last month to fill 7,300 posts and later 5,129 more posts,” he said.
Leader of opposition Siddaramaiah said KKRDB should be reconstituted without delay and the government should restart projects stopped due to Covid-induced slowdown. “The CM should not place any conditions and ensure release of funds immediately,” he added.
Earlier, Congress member Eshwar Khandre, who initiated the debate, lambasted the government for ignoring the region that comprises six districts, including sKalaburagi, Bidar, Raichur, Yadgir, Koppal, Ballari and new district Vijayanagara.. He said there are over 46,000 vacancies in the region.
Congress member Priyank Kharge mentioned alleged irregularities involving an NGO Krishi Samskruthi Sangha to which the board has transferred Rs 106 crore for Covid management. “There is no provision for transferring funds to the NGO. The government should take back the money and punish the culprits,” he said.
Madhuswamy assured to do the needful. Badeppa Kashempura (JDS) and Amaregowda Bayyapura (Congress) highlighted problems of the region.