HKCCI: Article 371(J) has failed, need a ministry for Hyderabad-Karnataka region

KALABURAGI: Categorically asserting that the special status conferred on the backward Hyderabad-Karnataka region under Article 371(J) had failed to deliver the goods, Hyderabad Karnataka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (HKCCI) has demanded that the state government set up a separate ministry for the expeditious development of the region.

Addressing the media here after an interaction with the office-bearers of HKCCI from Bidar, Yadgir and Raichur districts besides Kalaburagi, HKCCI President Amaranath Patil called for setting up an office of the new ministry in the Hyderabad Karnataka Region Development Board (HKRDB) building here.He said that in the last four years, the HKRDB had failed to fulfill its objectives due to various reasons including the dearth of manpower.

“There is no doubt that the body in its present form will not be able to eradicate backwardness of the region. The body has not been able to spend the entire amount allocated to it and a number of recommendations made by the committee headed by former Minister H.K. Patil have remained on paper. Only setting up of a separate ministry can serve the purpose”, Mr Patil argued. He expressed his unhappiness over the failure to get special assistance from the Centre.

“In the case of Vidarbha and Telangana, the Centre had provided grants. But in our case, neither has the Centre allocated grants nor has the state government approached it. Ideally the Centre should match the funds allocated by the state government. If the state government provides Rs 1500 crore annually, the Centre should also provide Rs 1500 crore”, Mr Patil contended.