Article 371(J) as a boon for educated youth in Kalyana Karnataka: Sharan Prakash Patil
Article 371(J) of the Constitution is a boon for the educated youth of the Kalyan Karnataka (KK) region and ensures long-term educational and employment opportunities, said Medical Education Minister Sharan Prakash Patil.
Unfurling the national flag at the Kalyan Karnataka Utsav celebrations in Yadgir on Thursday, the minister highlighted how the special status has transformed the socio-economic landscape of the region.
Dr. Patil noted that the landmark constitutional amendment was achieved during years of fierce struggle led by prominent leaders including Vaijanath Patil and Mallikarjun Kharge, along with strong public agitation against regional development and economic imbalances.
Under the provisions of Article 371(J), local educated youth are benefited from 75% to 85% reservation in government jobs in Kalyan Karnataka region and also 8% reservation in non-KK districts of the state.
Dr. Detailing the impact on higher education and employment, Patil revealed that around 11,000 students have been assured a medical seat. More than 30,000 students have got engineering jobs and nearly 10,00,000 unemployed youth have successfully secured government jobs under quota reservations after the introduction of the special status.
As for current regional challenges, the minister addressed the ongoing drought situation. He said that Shahapur has already been declared a drought-affected taluk in the first phase and expressed confidence that the remaining five taluks in the district would be notified soon. He urged the farmers not to panic and assured them of the full support of the state government.
Dr. Patil also paid rich tributes to the freedom fighters who fought to free the erstwhile Hyderabad-Karnataka region from the rule of the Nizams. He recalled the decisive leadership of India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and Home Minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel during the police action.
He said that Swami Ramanand Teerth, Pandit Taranath, Vidyadhar Guruji, Sardar Sharana Gowda Inamdar and Chandrashekhar Patil also contributed immensely to freedom from the Nizams.
Published – 17 Sep 2026 20:38 IST