Assembly passes resolutions demanding Centre act to alleviate backwardness plaguing NK

The Karnataka Assembly's resolution urging the Central government to address the backwardness of the North Karnataka (NK) region and fund its long-pending projects is a significant development, highlighting deep-seated issues of regional disparity and the complexities of Centre-State financial relations in India. This move is not merely a local political maneuver but a reflection of broader challenges in India's federal structure and developmental planning.

**Background Context:** The North Karnataka region, often referred to as 'Hyderabad-Karnataka' (now Kalyana Karnataka) and 'Bombay-Karnataka' (now Kittur Karnataka), has historically lagged behind the southern parts of the state in terms of socio-economic development. This disparity can be traced back to pre-independence administrative divisions and continued post-independence due to various factors including geographical challenges (arid and semi-arid zones), limited industrialization, and perceived neglect in resource allocation and infrastructure development. Key indicators of backwardness include lower literacy rates, poorer health outcomes, inadequate irrigation facilities, and a predominantly agrarian economy with limited diversification. Long-pending projects, such as the Kalasa-Banduri Nala project aimed at diverting Mahadayi river water to address drinking water needs, symbolize this neglect and have been a consistent demand from the region for decades.

**What Happened:** The Karnataka State Assembly passed resolutions explicitly demanding that the Central government intervene and provide financial assistance for these long-pending developmental projects in North Karnataka. These resolutions serve as a formal expression of the state's collective will and are intended to exert political pressure on the Union government. It underscores the state's contention that regional imbalances within its borders require not just state-level intervention but also significant support and funding from the Centre, given the magnitude of the challenges and the fiscal constraints often faced by states.

**Key Stakeholders Involved:** The primary stakeholders are the **Karnataka State Government and Assembly**, which initiated these resolutions, acting as representatives of the state's population, particularly those from the disadvantaged North Karnataka region. The **people and political representatives of North Karnataka** are the direct beneficiaries and driving force behind these demands, advocating for equitable development. The **Central Government** is the target stakeholder, holding the ultimate authority over national financial resources and policy interventions. Its response will determine the efficacy of these resolutions. Additionally, bodies like the **Finance Commission** play an indirect but crucial role, as their recommendations largely dictate the framework of Centre-State financial transfers, influencing the Centre's capacity and methodology for providing such funds.

**Why This Matters for India:** This issue is a microcosm of the larger challenge of **regional disparity** that plagues India. Uneven development across regions can lead to social unrest, exacerbate inequalities, and fuel regionalist sentiments. From an economic perspective, neglecting any region means underutilizing its human and natural resources, hindering national growth. Politically, it tests the principles of **fiscal federalism** and **Centre-State relations**. States often argue for greater financial autonomy and a larger share of central resources to address their unique developmental challenges. The Centre's response sets a precedent for how similar demands from other states or regions might be handled. It also highlights the importance of **balanced regional development**, a constitutional goal and a key objective of national planning, now spearheaded by NITI Aayog.

**Historical Context:** The issue of regional backwardness in Karnataka has been a subject of study and policy interventions for decades. The **D.M. Nanjundappa Committee Report on Regional Imbalances in Karnataka (2002)** is a landmark reference, which scientifically identified and quantified the extent of backwardness across various taluks and districts, particularly in North Karnataka. This report provided a roadmap for special interventions and funding. Furthermore, the **Constitution (Ninety-Eighth Amendment) Act, 2012**, which inserted **Article 371J** into the Constitution, granting special provisions for the Hyderabad-Karnataka region (now Kalyana Karnataka), is a direct constitutional recognition of this historical backwardness. This article provides for a separate development board, equitable allocation of funds, and reservations in education and employment for the region. While the current resolutions pertain to the broader North Karnataka region, Article 371J underscores the constitutional imperative to address such disparities.

**Future Implications:** The resolutions could lead to increased dialogue and negotiation between the Karnataka state government and the Centre. Depending on the Centre's response, it could result in: (a) the allocation of special funds or packages for North Karnataka, potentially through existing central schemes or new ones; (b) a recalibration of inter-state financial transfers by future Finance Commissions, considering regional disparities within states; or (c) increased political friction if the demands are not met, potentially impacting electoral outcomes for both state and national parties. It also sets a precedent for other states to use similar legislative mechanisms to pressure the Centre for addressing their internal regional imbalances, thereby strengthening the discourse on cooperative federalism and equitable development across the nation.

**Related Constitutional Articles, Acts, or Policies:**

* **Article 280:** Constitutes the Finance Commission, which recommends the distribution of tax revenues between the Union and the States, and the principles governing grants-in-aid to the States. Its recommendations are crucial for state finances.

* **Article 282:** Allows the Union or a State to make grants for any public purpose, even if it is not within their legislative competence. This is often used for discretionary grants for developmental projects.

* **Seventh Schedule:** Defines the distribution of legislative powers between the Union and States. Economic and social planning (Concurrent List) and public health, sanitation, agriculture (State List) are relevant.

* **Article 371J:** As mentioned, provides special provisions for the six backward districts of the Hyderabad-Karnataka region (Kalyana Karnataka) within Karnataka, including a separate development board and reservation in education and employment. This is a direct constitutional response to regional backwardness.

* **NITI Aayog:** Replaced the Planning Commission, plays a crucial role in fostering cooperative federalism and designing policies for balanced regional development, including initiatives for aspirational districts.