Backward taluks rise to 177 despite ₹32,000 crore spend, report flags North Karnataka lag
Bengaluru: Fifteen years after Karnataka began a major push to reduce regional imbalance, a new high-powered committee has found that the number of backward taluks in the state has increased, with underdevelopment remaining heavily concentrated in the northern regions.
Deccan Herald reported that the Karnataka Regional Imbalances Redressal Committee, chaired by economist M Govinda Rao, has reported that 177 of the state’s 236 taluks now fall under varying categories of backwardness. The findings were recently submitted to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and highlight that regional disparity continues to be a structural problem despite significant public expenditure.
According to the committee’s assessment, 59 taluks have been classified as “most backward”, an equal number as “more backward” and “backward”, while only 59 taluks qualify as “developed”. The panel noted that backwardness is overwhelmingly a North Karnataka phenomenon, with the Kalyana Karnataka region emerging as the most affected. Not a single taluk in this region has been categorised as developed.
The report observed that Karnataka has witnessed strong income growth and an expanding share in the national economy. However, this growth has remained uneven. Economic gains are concentrated in a handful of districts, while large parts of the state continue to lag in social and developmental indicators, as reported by DH. Only six districts—Bengaluru Urban, Bengaluru Rural, Chikmagalur, Dakshina Kannada, Tumakuru and Uttara Kannada—record a Net District Development Product above the state average.
The committee’s findings come after a review of earlier efforts based on recommendations of the DM Nanjundappa Committee. Between 2007-08 and 2022-23, the state spent over ₹32,600 crore to address regional imbalance. Despite this, the new panel cautioned that if spending does not create conditions for sustained growth even higher allocations alone do not guarantee development.
Kalaburagi division was found to have the highest concentration of the most backward taluks, followed by Belagavi. No taluks in the Bengaluru or Mysuru divisions fall into the most backward category, underscoring the sharp regional divide within the state.
The Rao committee has sought an allocation of ₹43,914 crore for the period from 2026 to 2031 to tackle imbalances, while also calling for a shift in approach. It pointed out conceptual and methodological limitations in earlier frameworks, specifically the assumption that development could be achieved mainly through government spending on infrastructure and services.
Stating that their functioning has had limited impact, the panel has also suggested abolishing the Malnad Area Development Board and the Bayaluseeme Development Board. It has also proposed restructuring the Kalyana Karnataka Region Development Board to better align it with its broader objectives.
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Sustained double-digit growth for India possible: Mukesh Ambani
Mumbai (PTI): Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani on Wednesday said sustained double-digit growth for India is possible, and that stable economic leadership defines a country.
Speaking at a JioBlackRock event here, Ambani also said that in the next decade, India will not be importing 80 per cent of its energy.
Every Indian village has a 5G network that is better and cheaper than any other country, he noted.
Sustained law and order for 15-20 years and social harmony are prerequisites for economic growth, Ambani said, adding that "I can clearly see 100 new Reliances coming up in the country".
