KALABURAGI: Chief minister DK Shivakumar Thursday announced a two-year campaign to tackle anaemia in Kalyana Karnataka and promised Rs 5,000 crore annually for the region, while unveiling a series of measures aimed at boosting healthcare, investment, farm incomes and employment.Hoisting the national flag at the 79th Kalyana Karnataka Utsava in Kalaburagi, the CM said the anaemia campaign would focus on screening, prevention and treatment, with special attention to pregnant women, adolescents and lactating mothers.
Key plans
The govt will also set up the Kalyana Karnataka Economy Mission as a Section 8 company to attract large investments and create new economic opportunities in the region. A Bio Economy Mission will seek to raise farmers’ incomes through processing and value addition of products such as tur dal, Kamalapur bananas, raisins and millets.The govt plans to plant and nurture one crore saplings across the region over the next two years under the Koti Vruksha Abhiyan.“Kalyana Karnataka is our priority,” Shivakumar said, describing the region as the “Shakti Peetha” of Karnataka and Bengaluru as the crown of the state.He said about Rs 25,000 crore in special grants had been announced for the region over the past 12 years, of which Rs 14,000 crore had been spent. Under Article 371J, 41,103 works had been taken up, including 32,985 completed works, while more than 8,000 were at various stages.“Govt employment had been provided to 79,383 youths,” he said. “For the development of this region, we have decided that the Congress govt should provide Rs 5,000 crore every year.”Shivakumar also credited Sonia Gandhi, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge with the region’s development and implementation of Article 371J during UPA rule.He said Karnataka, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, along with Union ministers, had taken steps to address the long-standing issue at the Tungabhadra reservoir.About 30 TMC of water would be saved, he said, with all 19 gates replaced.
