Prioritise improvement in HDI: Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah in KKRDB meeting

Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], June 14 (ANI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah suggested on Wednesday that priority should be given to the implementation of complementary projects to improve the Human Development Index (HDI) in the review meeting of Kalyana Karnataka Regional Development Board (KKRDB).

He reviewed the progress of the KKRDB at Home Office Krishna today.

“Emphasis should be laid on those areas in which we are lagging. Emphasis should also be placed on infrastructure development at hostels, Anganwadis, and residential schools. Available grants should be spent on priority areas. Roads, drinking water, irrigation and other infrastructure should also be prioritised,” Siddaramaiah stated.

“It is our responsibility to get the necessary approvals from the finance department. The district in-charge minister should review the progress once a month and send the report to the board. District in-charge secretaries should also conduct progress reviews. Anganwadis, hostels, schools, and hospitals should be visited and inspected,” he remarked.

The CM pointed out that there is a need for coordination between district in-charge ministers and secretaries.

It is promised to provide Rs. 5,000 crore per year in the election manifesto and budget. The CM directed to prepare an action plan by July 15 to spend this amount.

He instructed officers to immediately call for tenders for the approved works where tenders have not yet been issued and emphasised the need for evaluation of these works.

For the fiscal year 2023-24, the Kalyana Karnataka Regional Development Board has received its largest grant ever, amounting to Rs 3,000 crore. During this period, a total of Rs 2009. 53 crore, including initial charges, has been spent.

According to the board’s chairman, Ajay Singh, this is the highest expenditure recorded since the board’s inception.

The board currently has Rs 2885.90 crore available. Since its formation, the board has approved 35,724 works, of which 26,418 have been completed. In the year 2023-24 alone, out of 6,468 works, 136 have been completed, and 3,226 are in progress. Singh noted that 3,106 works are yet to begin.

The Chief Minister has instructed that the 3,528 pending projects be initiated by the end of July, with a focus on education, health, and job creation.

It has been decided to allocate 25 per cent of the grant over two years, considered an academic year.

Ajay Singh highlighted the demand for primary health centres and the decision to prioritise this need. The Chief Minister has directed the submission of a proposal to establish these centres by the prescribed standards.

“The CM suggested that the development of schools in the Kalyana Karnataka region should be emphasised under CSR and the administrative departments should sanction the establishment of high schools, undergraduate and graduate colleges,” he directed.