The State budget presented by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on July 7 for 2023-24 addressed some of the key expectations from the Kalyana Karnataka region, showing the Congress government’s commitment to the development of the backward region.
One of the major announcements was expectedly the declaration of undertaking development works amounting to ₹5,000 crore under Kalyana Karnataka Region Development Board (KKRDB). The Chief Minister recalled how the United Progressive Alliance, led by Congress at the Centre, had provided special status to the region by amending the Constitution of India and adding Article 371(J). He blamed the previous BJP government in Karnataka for failing to spend the money allocated to the board.
“During the previous BJP regime, though huge grants were announced, there was a visible failure in formulating a proper action plan and implementing the same. Due to this, grants amounting to more than ₹2,000 crore were left unutilised by the board. Plugging all these loopholes and utilising the grants appropriately, work amounting to ₹5,000 crore will be undertaken in Kalyana Karnataka region in 2023-24,” the Chief Minister said in his budget speech.
