C.G. Chinnaswamy, chairman of the Fourth State Finance Commission, has said that Kalaburagi is ranked 20th in the Human Development Index report for 2014. He was here on Wednesday to attend a meeting.
Mr. Chinnaswamy said that the report presented a picture of backwardness in key sectors of development despite a marked increase in government allocation over the past few years.
The district stood at the 26th place in gender equality ratio; 28th in child sex ratio; 12th in food security; and 28th in overall development that includes providing education facilities and health benefits.
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A sum of ₹1,168.82 crore was allocated for the Kalaburagi Zilla Panchayat during 2015-16 and 2016-17, of which ₹778.34 crore was allocated to taluk panchayats, ₹ 351.83 crore for the zilla panchayat and ₹28.64 crore with the gram panchayats.
Sanjeev Yakapur, chairman of the Standing Committee for Agriculture, said that lack of funds would hit development works. Around 25 to 30 villages come under each zilla panchayat, it is difficult to take up works with just ₹25 lakh, he added.
Shivaraj Patil, ZP member representing Kolkur in Jewargi taluk, asked the committee to recommend additional funds for the zilla panchayat.
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The Union government directly allocates funds for gram panchayats and zilla panchayats and taluk panchayats had not been sanctioned funds. Around ₹195.57 crore had been allocated for 29 different departments under the zilla panchayat. Commission members H.D. Amaranathan and H. Shashidhar were present.