Despite Karnataka’s strong socio-economic growth over the past 25 years, the Karnataka Regional Imbalances Redressing Committee (2026), headed by economist M. Govinda Rao, found a significant increase in the number of backward taluks and classified 93 taluks as most backward, while 36 taluks were classified as more backward3 and more backward3 and taluks. 64 taluks as developed taluks.
The panel submitted its report to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday.
The High-Power Committee (HPC-I) on Regional Imbalances, headed by DM Nanjundappa in 2002, classified 39 taluks as most backward, 40 as more backward, 39 as backward and the remaining 61 as developed.
The total number of taluks in Karnataka has increased from 175 in 2001 to 236 at present, representing 61 taluks.
The Rao-led panel said the share of backward taluks in the total number of taluks has increased from 65% in 2001-02 to 72.8% in 2022-23, indicating widening regional imbalances despite overall economic progress.
Highest in NK
He noted that 60% of backward taluks are concentrated in North Karnataka, the most backward taluks are concentrated in Kalaburagi division (42%), followed by Belagavi division (34%).
In terms of number of backward taluks, Belagavi division has the largest share (33.7%), followed by Kalaburagi division (26.1%). Both in terms of number and intensity of backwardness, North Karnataka has the largest concentration of backward taluks, the report said.
Noting that “Karnataka is a state of contrasts,” he said, “It is curious that the high growth has not fully translated into a commensurate improvement in social indicators. This is mainly because the increase in income is concentrated in only a few districts and large parts of the state still suffer from acute backwardness.”
Najunadappa panel
The earlier Nanjundappa Committee had recommended spending ₹31,000 crore to overcome infrastructure deficit in 114 backward taluks. By 2022-23, ₹43,453.98 crore was allocated, ₹35,380.24 crore was released and the actual expenditure was ₹32,610.24 crore.
The Rao Committee observed that the sectoral allocation of funds was substantially at odds with the recommended allocations. It found that expenditure at the district level, not at the taluk level, was 6.1% of the total expenditure. “More importantly, the poor implementation is reflected in the fact that information regarding nearly 11.2% of funds allocated to taluks has not been received from the taluks by the Special Development Plan Division,” he noted.
Status of new taluks
Another important finding is that out of the 61 new taluks, 51 are in the most backward category, two in the backward category, five in the backward category and three in the developed category.
There are 17 new talukas among the 20 talukas with the lowest Comprehensive Composite Development Index (CCDI). In all, 13 are in Kalaburagi Division, six in Belagavi Division and one in Mysuru Division.
“If we look at the talukas with the highest CCDI values, 15 out of 20 talukas are in Mysuru or Bengaluru division. Out of that, 11 talukas are in Mysuru division and the remaining four are in Bengaluru division. Of the remaining five, four are in Belagavi division and only one is in Kalaburagi division.
How they moved
Of the 39 most backward taluks in 2001, 24 continued in the same category, 11 moved to the more backward category, three moved to the backward category and one qualified to the developed category.
Among the 40 most backward talukas in 2001, 13 deteriorated to most backward, 15 remained in the same category, nine improved to the backward category, and three qualified as developed.
Among the 35 talukas that were classified as backward by HPC-I in 2001, 16 remained in the same category, six became more backward, three moved to the most backward and 10 moved to the developed category.
Of the 61 taluks that were developed in 2001, 47 remained in the same category, 10 moved back into the backward category, two became more backward and two deteriorated into the most backward category.
The panel recommended an additional allocation of ₹ 43,914 crore from 2026-27 to 2031-32 for backward talukas and districts.
Human Development Deficit
The report states that the state’s high standing in per capita income does not correspond to improvements in human development. The sharp increase in inequality in per capita income is due to the concentration of growth in the modern services sector in only a few districts. While the rich can afford to “buy” better private education and health care, the poor are forced to access deteriorating public education and public health services.
Published – 01 Feb 2026 01:30 IST
