A round-table conference of experts, academics, development activists, and representatives from the seven districts of Kalyana Karnataka has unanimously called for a scientific and time-bound action plan for the comprehensive development of the region, with a long-term vision of five to 10 years.

The conference, organised by the Kalyana Karnataka Horata Samiti at Sharnbasva University in Kalaburagi on Friday, discussed the region’s present development status in light of the Govindrao Committee report on regional imbalance and deliberated on the measures required to accelerate its development. It was chaired by Basavaraj Deshmukh, honorary president of the Samiti, while its founder-president Lakshman Dasti coordinated the proceedings.

Experts and development activists from Bidar, Kalaburagi, Raichur, Yadgir, Ballari, Koppal, and Vijayanagara districts examined the development indicators and recommendations of the Govindrao Committee and compared them with the parameters adopted in the earlier Nanjundappa Committee report.

Speakers expressed concern over what they described as the lack of clarity in the Govindrao Committee report for formulating development programmes. Raichur-based development activist Razak Ustad said the provision of ₹42,000 crore for the development of 172 backward taluks did not appear to provide a clear scientific basis for prioritising development interventions in the region. He urged the government to formulate a time-bound action plan based on clear development indicators.

Basavaraj Kalasa, president of the Raichur AIIMS Struggle Committee, called for a united effort by political leaders and development organisations across the seven districts to put pressure on the government for a comprehensive and long-term development plan.

Educationist Dhanraj of Gangavathi stressed the need to improve the quality of primary education in Kalyana Karnataka through planning and implementation at the grassroots level. Former HKCCI president Umakant Nigudagi called for the effective implementation of the special status granted to the region and sought a separate industrial policy to generate employment.

The conference resolved that the government should prepare a scientific five- to 10-year action plan for the overall development of Kalyana Karnataka. The Kalyana Karnataka Region Development Board should, apart from the routine budgetary schemes of the government, give special attention to neglected sectors, villages, and taluks and prepare a separate five-year action plan for measurable and time-bound progress.

The participants also decided to seek an early meeting with the Chief Minister through a delegation comprising representatives from the seven districts and Ministers from the region to press for comprehensive development measures.

The conference called for measures to create employment opportunities in both agricultural and non-agricultural sectors to prevent migration from the region. It also sought separate industrial, agricultural, and education policies for Kalyana Karnataka.

The participants extended support to the ongoing demand for an AIIMS in Raichur and resolved to urge Ministers and legislators from the seven districts to demonstrate collective political will and lead an all-party delegation to the Centre. They also decided to support the demand for adequate compensation to the Karanja project-affected people in Bidar.

The conference further called for development programmes to be taken up in accordance with the indicators suggested by the Govindrao Committee, with emphasis on human development, education, agriculture, and non-agricultural sectors. It also sought pressure on the Union government to establish a railway divisional headquarters in Kalaburagi.

Mr. Dasti said the region needed a clear development roadmap rather than isolated schemes. “The development of Kalyana Karnataka has to be taken up through a time-bound and scientific action plan covering all seven districts. The seven districts must come together and place their demands before the government with a united voice,” he said.

Published - August 14, 2026 07:57 pm IST