Fri Mar 07 16:32:01 UTC 2025: ## Karnataka Budget Raises Concerns Over Funding for Kalyana Karnataka Development

**Kalaburagi, March 7, 2025** – The Karnataka state budget for 2025-26, presented Friday by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, has sparked controversy over the funding of development projects in the Kalyana Karnataka region. Critics argue that the budget blurs the line between “special grants” allocated under Article 371(J) for the region’s development and general state funds.

Several major projects announced for Kalyana Karnataka, including a sheep and goat market (₹25 crore), a mega dairy (₹50 crore), a Sahakara Bhavana building (₹10 crore), and a skill development program (₹10 crore), are slated to be entirely funded by the Kalyana Karnataka Region Development Board (KKRDB). This also includes the construction of two new JMFC courts (₹18 crore total), three new nursing colleges (₹18 crore total), and rural warehouses (₹60 crore). The budget lacks clarity on government contributions from general funds for these projects. Even the upgrading of 50 schools under the Akshara Aavishkara scheme (₹200 crore) relies entirely on KKRDB funds.

This practice of using KKRDB funds for projects that would normally be funded from the general budget isn’t new, with previous governments employing similar tactics. A prime example is the recently completed Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research branch in Kalaburagi, where ₹302 crore of the ₹327.17 crore total cost came from KKRDB funds.

Raghavendra Kushtagi, founder president of the Hyderabad Karnataka Janandolana Kendra, sharply criticized this approach. He stated that while other regions receive funding directly from the state budget, Kalyana Karnataka is expected to rely solely on its KKRDB allocation. This, he argues, undermines the spirit of Article 371(J) and misrepresents the intended purpose of “special grants.” He urged the government to provide additional funds to the KKRDB to ensure its focused development of the region, rather than diverting its resources to general budgetary items.

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