Karnataka government is considering a proposal to create Gokak and Chikkodi districts by carving up Belagavi district, Satish Jarkiholi, PWD Minister who is in charge of the district, said in Belagavi on August 15.
“This issue was raised during Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s recent meeting with MLAs from northern Karnataka. The demand for carving up Belagavi district was put forth by several legislators. The government is seriously considering this suggestion,’‘ he said.
The demand was first raised in 1997 when some new districts were created. “The J.H. Patel government announced the division (of Belagavi district), but did not implement it owing to opposition by local Kannada groups. But this time, we are likely to go ahead as all their concerns have been addressed,’‘ Satish Jarkiholi told journalists after the independence day celebrations.
