CM to launch projects worth ₹ 1,775.41 crore for Kalyana Karnataka

Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge at a media conference at Aiwan-e-Shahi Guest House in Kalaburagi on September 16, 2026. | Photo credit: ARUN KULKARNI

Chief Minister DK Shivakumar will initiate development works worth ₹1,775.41 crore in seven districts of Kalyana Karnataka during his two-day visit to Kalaburagi for the Kalyana Karnataka Utsav, Home, IT-BT and e-Governance Minister Priyank Kharge said on September 16. The minister in charge of Kalabu district is Mr. Kalabu Kharge.

Addressing a press conference at Aiwan-e-Shahi Guest House in Kalaburagi, Mr. Kharge said the Chief Minister will unfurl the national flag and address the people at the Kalyana Karnataka Utsav at the Police Parade on September 17.

“Mr. Shivakumar will first pay floral tributes to the statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel at SVP Circle at 8:30 a.m. and then proceed to the Police Parade for flag hoisting and utsav. He will begin development work worth ₹ 1,775.41 crore on seven districts of Karnataka-5layana foundation estimated package for Karnataka5.5layana foundation ₹ 1,071.56 crore and inaugurate 244 completed of projects executed at a cost of ₹703.85 crore,” Mr. Kharge said.

Decision on drought after two weeks

Responding to questions on the drought, Mr. Kharge said that Karnataka can declare drought only as per the guidelines of the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF), which functions under the Union government.

“Karnataka BJP leaders are protesting here demanding drought relief. They should instead go to Delhi and pressurize the Union government led by their own party to simplify the NDRF guidelines and provide relief to farmers. The state government has repeatedly urged the Center to simplify the guidelines as the existing norms are causing hardship to farmers, but the Center has not responded to district reports, we will receive another two weeks and watch the rain. Next two weeks we will monitor the rain he said.

Recalling the farm loan waiver announced by the UPA government led by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh (2004-14), Mr. Kharge urged the BJP-led Union government to waive farm loans and provide relief to drought-hit farmers.

“Vande Mataram Debate Aimed at Distraction”

Rendering ‘Vande Mataram’, Mr. Kharge said the BJP was using the issue to divert public attention from issues like drought and unemployment.

“The BJP does not want to discuss the real problems people are facing like drought and unemployment. It is using Vande Mataram to cover up its failures. The question of how many slokas should be sung was settled long ago after consulting national leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru, Vallabhbhai Patel and Rabindranath Tagore,” he said.

GESCOM Chairperson Praveen Patil Harawal and Legislative Council member Tippannappa Kamaknur were present at the press conference.

Published – 16 Sep 2026 15:07 IST