Regional Imbalance Study Panel To Submit Final Report By Oct: Chairman

For past 7 months, the committee members have been touring the state, collecting data through various indicators

- EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @Hubballi

The Karnataka Regional Imbalance Redressal Committee (KRIRC), a high-power panel constituted by the state government to further study the disparity in the development even after implementation of the Dr Nanjundappa Committee Report (NCR) recommendations, is expected to submit its final report by October.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had announced the formation of an expert committee during the Belagavi winter session in 2023. Subsequently, the committee, headed by noted economist Prof M Govida Rao, has been undertaking study tours across all districts in the state to examine the development and changes that have occurred following NCR's implementation.

While implementing the NCR recommendations, the state government spent Rs 31,000 crore in 114 taluks to bridge regional disparities. The current study aims to identify which taluks have progressed and which ones remain backwards.

Over the past seven months, the committee has been touring the state, collecting data through various indicators and also holding dialogues with officials and organisations to gather information. The committee is studying the utilisation of funds allocated under the NCR and would recommend steps for future development initiatives.

On Monday, it visited Dharwad district and held a consultative meeting with elected representatives and representatives of non-governmental organisations (NGOs). "The committee has visited 26 districts to study the extent of implementation of the NCR, which was initially proposed to address regional imbalance. A final report will be submitted by October," said KRIRC chairman Prof Govinda Rao.