10 years on, special status a mixed bag for Kalyana Karnataka

Bengaluru: Despite being granted special status under Article 371(J) of the Constitution a decade ago, Kalyana Karnataka, the most backward region in the state, continues to grapple with underdevelopment, particularly in human development indicators, although it has made notable strides in infrastructure, professional education, and govt job opportunities.
The region has seen a significant rise in opportunities for local students in professional colleges and govt jobs. The number of students securing admission in medical, engineering, and other professional courses has significantly increased.
"As many as 7,757 students from our region secured admission in medical colleges, and 25,683 students have entered engineering colleges in the past 10 years," said Priyank Kharge, rural development and panchayat raj and IT & BT minister, who chairs the cabinet sub-committee overseeing implementation of Article 371(J). "Even admissions into other professional courses like pharmacy, BHMS, and agricultural sciences have surged. This was unimaginable before the special status."
The special status provides 70% reservation for local students in professional colleges within the region and 8% outside it. Similarly, govt job recruitments reserve 80% to 85% of Group C & D posts and 70% of Group A & B posts for locals, a policy that has helped hundreds secure govt jobs. The state govt has identified about 1.1 lakh posts across various departments for local candidates. This preference also extends to promotions within govt departments.
Boost for education
"We are completely satisfied with the changes the special status brought in education," said Lakshman Dasti, founder president, Kalyana Karnataka Horata Samiti, which began the movement for the region's special status in the early 2000s. "Prior to 2013, only about 80 to 100 students secured admission in medical colleges annually. Now, around 700 to 800 students are securing MBBS seats."
However, Dasti pointed out shortcomings in recruitment efforts. "The govt is not making serious efforts to fill vacancies. There are about 29,500 vacant posts in the region, and this defeats the very purpose of the special status. Moreover, there is a lack of clarity at the secretariat level on how to implement reservation. Discrepancies in recruitment notifications across departments are drawing legal action. The govt must sensitise officials to these issues," he added.
In terms of infrastructure, locals acknowledge significant improvement, particularly in roads, schools, and health facilities. The state govt has allocated Rs 19,778 crore for the region over the past 10 years, with Rs 11,174 crore spent through the Kalyana-Karnataka Region Development Board. The current govt has promised Rs 5,000 crore annually for the next four years to boost the region's development.
Lags human development
However, many residents feel the region lags in human development. Critics argue that the govt's focus on physical infrastructure has come at the expense of developing quality human resources. "No doubt, roads have improved, and new school and hospital buildings have been constructed," said senior journalist Srinivas Siranoorkar. "But there is an acute shortage of teachers and doctors. Clean drinking water is still a dream in many villages. The need of the hour is not just education but quality education. The govt must focus on human resource development along with physical infrastructure."