Article 371(J) has given wings to dreams of Kalyana Karnataka youth: Khandre

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Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Eshwar Khandre inspecting the parade during the Kalyana Karnataka Utsav celebrations in Bidar on Thursday. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Article 371(J) of the Constitution has opened up greater opportunities in education and employment for the youth of Kalyana Karnataka, said Minister for Rural Development and Panchayat Raj and Bidar district in-charge Minister Eshwar Khandre.

Speaking after unfurling the national flag at the Kalyana Karnataka Utsav at the District Nehru Stadium in Bidar on Thursday, Mr. Khandre said the region had attained freedom from the Nizam’s rule on September 17, 1948, after a prolonged struggle by thousands of people.

He paid tribute to the leaders and activists who fought for the region’s liberation and said their contribution should always be remembered.

“The Special Status under Article 371(J) of the Constitution has given a new lease of life to the aspirations of the region’s youth. Thousands had secured government jobs through the special reservation, while students had gained greater access to medical, engineering, dental and other professional courses,” Mr. Khandre said.

The Minister said work on the modern Anubhava Mantapa at Basavakalyan, being constructed at a cost of ₹750 crore, was about 70% complete and would be inaugurated around Basava Jayanti next year.

On the drought situation, Mr. Khandre said the government had made arrangements to ensure that people did not face drinking water shortages. The Centre had been urged to simplify drought-declaration norms and increase drought-relief assistance, he said.

“A sum of ₹306 crore has been released for drinking water management across the State, and additional funds have been provided to Bidar district. Officials have been directed to drill new borewells, hire borewells or arrange water tankers wherever necessary,” he said.

Mr. Khandre said employment guarantee works had also been intensified in all 181 gram panchayats of Bidar district since July 1 to check distress migration. Around 110 lakh person-days had been generated during the past two months, he said.

He also listed various development initiatives in Bidar, including road improvement, tourism infrastructure, the proposed Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Research Centre, development of Bidar city, renovation of Chitguppa barrage and works under the Karanja irrigation project.

Lok Sabha member from Bidar, Sagar Khandre, MLAs Rahim Khan and Shailendra Beldale, Deputy Commissioner Shilpa Sharma, Zilla Panchayat CEO Gitte Madhav Vitthal Rao, and Superintendent of Police Pradeep Gunti were among those present.

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