Minister for Rural Development and Panchayat Raj and Kalaburagi district in-charge Priyank Kharge and a media conference in Kalaburagi on Saturday. | Photo credit: Arun Kulkarni
Rural Development and Panchayat Raj and IT-BT Minister Priyank Kharge said a comprehensive plan has been prepared for the overall transformation of Kalaburagi district with special emphasis on industrial development, innovation, human resource growth, agriculture and tourism under the Local Economy Acceleration Program (LEAP).
Addressing a press conference at the Deputy Commissioner’s office on Saturday, the Minister said that the LEAP program is designed to make Kalaburagi district a major contributor to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Karnataka.
“Bengaluru contributes around 40% to the state’s GDP, while Dakshina Kannada contributes only 4.5%. Kalaburagi district’s GDP is 1.9% and we aim to increase the district’s share to 2.5% within a year,” Mr. Kharge said.
Under the LEAP initiative, the government has proposed an investment of ₹1,000 crore over the next five years. The initiative aims to support innovation, entrepreneurship and employment in emerging technology clusters by improving access to finance, infrastructure and the supporting ecosystem.
“The LEAP initiative will help create nearly five million jobs and position Karnataka as a leading hub for diversified technology development outside Bengaluru,” added Mr. Kharge.
“Beyond Bengaluru” initiative.
Highlighting the vision of ‘Beyond Bengaluru’, Mr. Kharge said that efforts are being made to promote start-ups and technological innovation in Kalaburagi district. “To empower the youth, we are not only focusing on education and employment, but we are also planning to establish a large-scale sports city. Local resources will be used to transform Kalaburagi into a model smart city,” he added.
Mr. Kharge said that an amount of ₹ 313.17 crore has been earmarked for the preservation and restoration of historical monuments and cultural monuments in Kalaburagi district through the Department of Archeology Museums and Heritage.
The government is also planning to develop Nagavi Conservation Zone in Chittapur taluk – an ancient educational center – with a total investment of ₹68 crore. The Malkhed fort in Sedam taluk, which once served as the capital of the Rashtrakuta dynasty, will be built at a cost of ₹6 crore. Similarly, the Sri Suryanarayana Temple in Kalgi will undergo restoration work worth ₹4.17 crore.
A ₹2 crore information center will be set up at Kanaganahalli of Chittapur taluk, an ancient Buddhist site, to provide advice and facilities to tourists.
MLA Allamprabhu Patil, MLC Thippannappa Kamaknoor and Jagdev Guttedar and Deputy Commissioner B. Fauzia Tarannum were present.
Earlier in the day, Mr. Kharge participated in the 70th Karnataka Rajyotsava celebrations and paid floral tributes to the portrait of Goddess Bhuvaneshwari at Nagareshwara School in the city.
Published – 01 Nov 2025 20:41 IST
