From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network
Kalaburagi, Sep 17: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday offered glowing tributes to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and the countless freedom fighters for their contribution in liberating the Kalyana Karnataka region, which celebrated the occasion as Kalyana Karnataka Utsava to mark 75 years of the liberation of the region.
Participating in the Kalyana Karnataka Utsava held at Kalaburagi on Sunday, the chief minister said the people of Kalyana Karnataka were observing the special occasion of 75 years of Kalyana Karnataka Liberation and a decade of conferring the special status to the region by the implementation of Article 371(j) of the Constitution
Though India got independence in 1947, Bidar, Kalaburagi and Raichur districts, which were under the rule of Nizams of Hyderabad, saw the light of freedom a year after.
The chief minister offered tributes to all the freedom fighters who fought for the liberation of Hyderabad Karnataka and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the then Home Minister of India, who played a key role in liberating Hyderabad Karnataka and in joining the Indian federal system.
"This is the holy place which laid the strong foundation for parliamentary democratic system and social revolution of Basavanna and has made notable contribution to the Kannada language, literature, culture, art, religion etc. The region has the legacy of rulers such as Kalyana Chalukyas, Bahamani Sultans and Rashtrakootas among others,’’ he said.
The chief minister said this is the land of Amoghavarsha Nrupatunga who gave Kavirajamarga, the first available kriti in Kannada. This land of Sufis- Saits, is known for communal harmony.
He thanked people of the State, especially the people of Kalyana Karnataka for electing a pro-people government
Hyderabad Karnataka Development Board was established in 1990, based on report of late Chief Minister N Dharam Singh to eradicate the regional imbalance in Kalaburagi, Bidar, Raichur and Ballari districts.
"Development didn’t happen as expected though special grants were allocated to the board. This led to the movement demanding amendment to Article 371 of the constitution to confer special status to Hyderabad Karnataka region,’’ he said.
Though the then BJP-led NDA Government rejected the proposal, the continuous efforts of Mallikarjuna Kharge and Dharam Singh yielded fruits and Dr Manmohan Singh-led UPA Government brought an amendment to the Constitution and implemented Article 371 (j) .
"When we came to power in our previous tenure in 2013, Our government established the Hyderabad Karnataka Regional Development Board, with efforts to accelerate the development process in the region. The government implemented reservation for people of the region in employment and education, which has transformed thousands of lives in the region,’’ he said.
The chief minister said: "On the day our government came to power, we gave in-principle approval for all the five guarantee schemes announced in the election manifesto and have implemented four of them within 100 days in office and once again proved that our government delivers as promised."
The guarantee schemes under the concept of Universal Basic Income believes that increase in purchasing power of the people improves economy and these schemes are proving this fact.These schemes are especially aimed at providing opportunity for financial and social empowerment of women.
Siddaramaiah said under Shakti Scheme every day 50 to 60 lakh women on an average avail free travel facility.
In 7 districts of Kalyana Karnataka, around women have travelled 5.87 crore trips and Government has reimbursed Rs 93.48 crore towards the scheme to KKRTC.
Under the Anna Bhagya scheme, the government has transferred Rs. 119.50 crore through DBT to 97 lakh beneficiaries having Antyodaya and priority household cards in Kalyana Karnataka.
Under Griha Jyoti, 18.80 lac consumers have availed zero bill benefit in Kalyana Karnataka region.
Under Griha Lakshmi scheme, 19.44 lakh women have availed the benefit of Rs. 2,000 per month in Kalyana Karnataka
"The Yuva Nidhi scheme, the fifth Guarantee will be launched by the end of this year and Minister of Medical Education and Skill Development Dr Sharana Prakash Patil is making preparation to launch the scheme,’’ he said.
Siddaramaiah said development for everyone irrespective of caste and religion is the Karnataka Model of Development. As announced in the Budget, KKRDB is taking up works worth Rs. 5000 crore this year.
The full-fledged KKRDB is formed under the chairmanship of Dr Ajay Singh and he is preparing an action plan for Rs. 3,000 crore for this year. 25 per cent of the grants are reserved for bringing huge transformation in education sector. This will bring revolutionary change in education in the region.
KKRDB has planned “Akshara Avishkara” to improve quality of education and SSLC results in the region. 2618 “Akshara Mitra” teachers will be hired along with 16,041 guest teachers appointed by State Government. A sum of Rs. 18.34 crore has been allocated for this project.
He said the Cabinet sub-committee is formed to ensure the implementation of Government orders issued under 371 (j) under chairmanship of Minister Priyank Kharge.
The chief minister said Karnataka is reeling under severe drought situation and government has announced 161 taluks as severly drought affected areas and 34 of them as moderately drought-hit talukas. These lists include 38 and 6 talukas of Kalyan Karnataka region respectively. Orders have already been issued to take up drought relief works.
"A few days back I called a meeting of all DCs and directed them to ensure drinking water and fodder are made available for the cattle. I have also directed them to take up crop loss survey and other relief measures strictly according to the guidelines keeping farmers interest in mind,’’ he said.
The State Government has allocated Rs. 34,294 crore under SCSP/ TSP. The Government is taking measures to ensure the grants allocated under the act to be spent for these communities only, measures are being taken to drop Section 7 (d) from the Act by amending PTCL Act, Government has taken steps to protects land ownership rights of SC/ ST communities.
District Ministers, secretaries and DCs are directed to review progress of various atrocity cases as the conviction rate has been found to be very low. Rural libraries are being upgraded as “Arivu Kendras’”.
As many as 939 Arivu Kendras have been upgraded in 7 districts of Kalyana Karnataka region. The Government is taking up an initiative to set up Koosina Mane creches for rural labourers. 881 centres will be set up in Kalyana Karnataka region, which will have trained care takers.
He said Rs 100 crore is provided to construct 400 community toilets. Places have been identified to build 218 community toitlets in the region.
Rural sanitation has been given utmost priority to avert incidents of deaths and sickness due to drinking polluted water. The scientific disposal of solid waste as well as grey water is given priority in the rural areas.
Officers have been directed to ensure safety of sources of drinking water and pipelines, in the wake of drought situation in the State.
People-friendly police system is being implemented in the State. People can give their feedback on police response through scanning QR code displayed in the station.
Kalaburagi is being established as the prime healthcare hub of the Kalyana Karnataka region.
The Jayadeva Institute and Trauma Care Center works are nearing completion. A 200-bed MCH hospital at an estimated cost of Rs. 70 will come up in GIMS premises. Cabinet has approved construction of a super speciality hospital at a cost of Rs. 162.80 crore in GIMS premises.
Health ATM is also being set up in PHC, Wellness centers and other places at an estimated cost of Rs. 5 crore under CSR initiative.
KKRDB and Health Department have been directed to follow Indian Public Health Standards to construct PHCs in the region.
Recent cabinet meeting has approved purchase of 250 buses for KKRTC
Tourism has been given priority in the region. Ghanagapura, Sannati, Kalaburagi Gurudwara and other such religious places will be developed. Development of Kalaburagi, Malakhed forts and Kalaburagi museum will be taken up.
Rs. 2 crore is being given to protect blackbucks in Bidar district, which is declared as blackbuck sanctuary. A new district administration building is being constructed in Raichur and Ballari.
Janapada Loka will be established in Koppal District at an estimated cost of Rs. 3.5 crore. 3D projection, Multimedia, sound and light show will be launched in Vijayavithal Temple in Hampi and Bidar fort.
The 78-km long road will be developed between Kalmala junction near Raichur to Ballari-Lingasugur Road circle near Ballari with Rs. 1696 crore. As a a new initiative Kalaburagi Connect has been launched to address public grievances.
During the last 10 years, Rs. 14,878 crore was allocated to KKRDB and the amount released is Rs. 10,228.80 crore. Expenditure is Rs. 8,520.74 crore, which accounts for 83% against the released amount. Out of the total 29,915 works taken up, 24,564 works have been completed and 4652 are in progress.
A total of 98,889 posts were identified for direct recruitment under 371 (j) reservation and 70,738 are filled. Out of the 33,371 posts identified for promotion, 23,101 have obtained promotion. Rest of the posts will be filled in a phased manner.
Due to the reservation in education, 6,795 candidates got medical seats, 1,388 candidate dental seats, 22,219 candidates engineering, 3808 agriculture and 39,251 candidates got seats in various courses in higher education during the last 10 years. Kalaburagi and Ballari have been chosen for establishing new industrial townships in the State.
Siddaramaiah said: "As Sardar Patel said, It is the prime responsibility of every citizen to feel that his country is free and to defend its freedom is his duty”.
"Today each citizen has to come forward to protect freedom of speech, freedom of religion which are endangered due to certain anti-social factors. Our commitment to make this region Kalyana Rajya is unquestionable. We are determined to begin a new era of development in the region with result-oriented programmes,’’ he added.