A detailed report on the works implemented and funds spent under the Special Development Plan (SDP) aimed at bridging the gaps of regional imbalances will be submitted in September by the High Power Committee for Implementing Dr. D.M. Nanjundappa Committee Recommendations on Removal of Regional Imbalances in Karnataka.
The report will include recommendations, specially a solution to overlapping of some schemes and welfare programmes with the SDP works, said Venkat Rao Y. Ghorpade, committee chairman, at a review meeting here on Wednesday.
Mr. Ghorpade said Dr. Nanjundappa had recommended various measures for redressal of regional imbalances to bring about qualitative and physical improvements in backwards regions of the State. As many as 114 taluks were identified as backward (35), more backward (40) and most backward taluks (39) in the State then.
He said he had begun reviewing the progress of works and achievements in every district as per the advise of the Chief Minister to take stock of the situation and suggest measures to make Dr. Nanjundappa’s recommendations more effective.
In Belagavi district, Rs. 456.53 crore had been spent in seven taluks identified as backward and more backward taluks. Mr. Ghorpade, who noticed discrepancies and incomplete information in the progress report in respect of Belagavi district, said a template was being prepared, which would be transparent and open for physical verification of the claims made in the report.
Indifferent attitude
The indifferent attitude and selective concerns of the elected representatives towards their home district came to light once again during the review meeting. None of the four MPs representing the district – Suresh C. Angadi, Prakash B. Hukkeri, Prabhakar Kore (Rajya Sabha member) and Anantkumar Hegde (Uttar Kannada district) were present. Officials said they could not attend due to ongoing Monsoon Session of the Parliament at New Delhi. None of the 18 MLAs and four MLCs representing the district attended the meeting as well.
Deputy Commissioner N. Jayaram was not present. Only the Belagavi zilla pacnahayat chief executive officer Gautam Bagadi and Additional Deputy Commissioner Suresh Itnal, apart from a few officials were present.
