Regional Imbalance Redressal Committee to submit report in Oct

Time of India

26-05-2025

Dharwad: The Regional Imbalance Redressal Committee, which has been set up to review the effects of the implementation of the recommendations of a similar committee headed by Dr DM Nanjundappa, will submitt its report to the state govt in Oct this year, said committee's chairperson Dr M Govind Rao here on Monday.
Speaking to reporters after holding a meeting with various stakeholders at ZP meeting hall here, he said the new committee will also recommend development of new infrastructure in backward and most backward taluks.
"The state govt started implementing the recommendations of Nanjundappa Committee in 2007-2008. His report was based on 35 indices and had classified taluks as most backward and backward. Based on his recommendation, the state govt has spent Rs 31,600 crore on these taluks.
We need to see to what extent these initiatives have been successful. However, in the current context, there is a need to review the said report in accordance with the times and come up with new guidelines or recommendations based on the current human development indices," Dr Rao said.
The Committee, which has visited Kalyana Karnataka and Kittur Karnataka divisions, will visit all the districts in the state, he added.
Member-secretary of the committee R Vishal, who is also the finance and planning secretary, said that the committee is focussing on income, education and health indicators.
In Dharwad district, the stakeholders have demanded more food processing units be set up, the govt medical facility be expanded, tourism sector be improved, and higher education made more affordable to the poor and marginalised. Establishment of a regional cancer centre at KMC-RI in Hubballi and 19 Karnataka Public Schools in the district are the other demands.
Representatives of Karnataka Chamber of Commerce and Industry said the cost of land at FMCG cluster has been hiked by 100% and discouraged potential industrialists. They also demanded provision of facilities at subsidised rates to attract investors and generate employment and income in the region.
DC Divya Prabhu said the Hubballi airport should be upgraded and logistic and commercial airport facilities should be provided.
District minister Santosh Lad, MLAs Mahesh Tenginakai, NH Konaraddi, members of the committee Prof Suryanarayana, Prof ST Bagalkoti, ZP CEO Bhuvanesh Patil, SP Gopal Byakod and others were present.