Belagavi (PTI): Congress MLA Bharamgouda (Raju) Kage has written to President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, demanding separate statehood for 15 districts of North Karnataka, alleging that the region has faced injustice, discrimination and neglect in every sector.

Renewing the decades-old demand of the people of North Karnataka, Kage said he supported the signature campaign started by the North Karnataka Struggle Committee for a separate state.

“I would like to express my strong demand for the creation of a new state comprising 15 districts of North Karnataka — namely Bidar, Kalaburagi, Vijayapura, Yadgir, Bagalkote, Belagavi, Dharwad, Gadag, Koppal, Raichur, Uttara Kannada, Haveri, Vijayanagara, Ballari, and Davanagere — for administrative convenience and holistic development,” Kage wrote in the letter to Murmu, PM Modi and Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot.

The Congress MLA’s office shared the letter dated November 4 with PTI on Wednesday.

According to Kage, since the unification of Karnataka, this region has continuously faced injustice, discrimination, and neglect in every sector.

“The formation of a separate state will give birth to another proud Kannada-speaking state, which will be a matter of great pride for us. North Karnataka is a region rich in all kinds of resources and has made a significant contribution to the preservation of the Kannada language and the unification of Karnataka.”

Extending support to the signature campaign of the representatives of the North Karnataka Struggle Committee, Kage said over one crore people have already given written consent and signed in favour of the demand.

“People from all sections of this region are demanding a separate state for their overall and inclusive development. Therefore, I humbly request you to kindly consider our appeal and recommend to the Central Government the formation of a separate North Karnataka state,” the MLA said.

He also noted that a memorandum was submitted to the President on January 3 and the PMO on January 5 this year.

Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.



Amritsar (PTI): Former president Ram Nath Kovind on Friday said that with digital transformation, economic reforms and a strong focus on the ease of doing business, India is moving towards becoming a global economic powerhouse.

He was speaking after inaugurating the 19th edition of the Punjab International Trade Expo (PITEX) in Amritsar.

The former president said that this 19th edition of PITEX is being organised at a time when India is recognised as one of the fastest-growing large economies in the world.

Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the event organised by the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) the former president, while referring to Punjab, said the state is a living example of courage, sacrifice and enterprise.

"The spiritual light of Sri Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) inspires peace and humanity across the world. The heritage of Punjab is deep and inspiring," Kovind said, according to a statement issued by the PITEX.

The former president congratulated the PHDCCI for hosting the 19th edition of PITEX and suggested that the chamber should expand PITEX outside Punjab.

He proposed that a similar event should also be held in New Delhi.