Bengaluru: Making a fervent appeal to leaders not to demand a separate statehood for north Karnataka, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday said such a demand would tantamount to an insult to those who struggled for unification of the state.
Besides, Mr Siddaramamiah also announced in the Legislative Assembly that the state government was committed to an allocation of Rs 3,000 crores annually for the next five years for overall development of backward taluks listed in the report of the high-power committee headed by the late economist Dr D.M. Nanjundappa in 2004.
In his elaborate reply, punctuated with anecdotes, the Chief Minister expressed confidence that leaders like former minister Umesh Katti and suspended Congress MLA A. S. Patil Nadahalli would understand his commitment to keep the state united.
“I am aware that these leaders are making statements only to drive home a point that their region has not developed on par with south Karnataka. The reason for development of south Karnataka is almost 100 years history, as the erstwhile Mysuru Maharajas were visionaries, and due to their efforts, we are enjoying the fruits of development. But both Bombay-Karnataka and Hyderabad –Karnataka were not fortunate enough to be on par with south Karnataka,” he added.
He added the state government was committed to implement the report submitted by the late Dr Nanjundappa in the most scientific manner. The state government has roped prominent institutions such as — the Institute for Social and Economic Change (ISEC), Centre for Multi-disciplinary Development Research, Dharwad and the state planning department — involved in preparing comprehensive report.
“For any scientific improvement or development to take place, the human index is most vital information and these institutions are bracing up to this challenge by conducting studies,” he explained.
He added that the government was committed to formation of 44 new taluks announced by the previous BJP government. “We are in the process of carving out 124 hoblis and 11 sub-divisions to ensure smooth functioning of these new taluks,” he added.
