The Karnataka government Tuesday notified the creation of a new department aimed at ensuring the development of the Kalyana Karnataka region, formerly known as Hyderabad Karnataka, after a special Cabinet meeting.
According to the notification, the Kalyana Karnataka Region Development Department is formed “for the effective implementation and monitoring of development projects in the region”. The order noted that there was a staff shortage in this northern region of the state to implement the projects.
“Therefore, it is decided to sanction additional posts to the Kalyana Karnataka Region Development Board and the offices of seven deputy commissioners in the region,” it said.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, speaking at Kalaburagi during the Kalyana Karnataka Utsav Wedneday, said that despite the special status under Article 371-J, the Kalyana Karnataka region did not have a dedicated secretariat.
“Recognising this, our government has decided in the Cabinet to establish the Kalyana Karnataka secretariat in Kalaburagi,” he said. Officers to look after the Department will be appointed soon, the CM said.
Siddaramaiah noted that the foundation stone for ‘Anubhava Mantapa’ at Basavakalyan, which is a replica of the 12th-century religious complex established by Basavanna, was laid during his previous tenure. He said necessary funds have been released to ensure the project’s speedy completion. “We aim to inaugurate it by the end of this year,” Siddaramaiah said.
A ‘vachana mantapa’ is being established in Kalaburagi to introduce the vachanas (sacred verses) of Basavanna and other thinkers to the world. The land has been identified, and construction will commence shortly, said the CM.
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Recalling that the recently held Cabinet meeting in Kalaburagi approved the conservation of eight historical and ancient monuments in the Kalyana Karnataka region by the Department of Archaeology, Museums, and Heritage, he said Rs 313 crore will be released for the same. A separate authority will be constituted for the development of the historic Sannati site, he added.