CM Siddu lays out north Karnataka plan as session ends

NT Correspondent

Belagavi: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has unveiled an eight point plan to further development in the north Karnataka region, which has historically lagged behind.

He made the announcements on the concluding day of the winter session in Belagavi on Friday.

Prime among his plans is the formation of a highpowered committee, led by an economist, who would be entrusted with the task of the implementation of the Nanjundappa Report.

He was referring to the report submitted by Prof DM Nanjundappa back in 2002. The report had examined regional imbalances within Karnataka and categorized taluks based on a cumulative development index.

It had also proposed resource allocations to uplift underdeveloped taluks. The CM also announced waiver of interest for farmers who have repaid the principal of medium and long-term loans to cooperative banks in the backdrop of the drought affecting the state.

Siddaramaiah announced the setting up of a new industrial area spanning approximately 2,000 acres on the outskirts of Belagavi to further economic growth in north Karnataka.

Moreover, a foundry cluster would be set up in a 500-acre area, with an emphasis on aerospace-based industries in the district.

Similar blueprint was laid out for Dharwad district with plans for establishment of an industrial area covering 3,000 acres outside the city.

Vijayapura city will also be getting a manufacturing cluster on 1,500 acres Siddaramaiah also discouraged ideas of bifurcating Karnataka as a means to uplift the northern part of the state.