KKRDB approves action plan for ₹5,000 crore allocation in Karnataka budget

The Kalyana Karnataka Region Development Board (KKRDB) unanimously approved the action plan for the utilisation of the ₹5,000 crore allocation made by the State Government for the 2026-27 financial year.

The decision was taken at the Board meeting chaired by KKRDB Chairperson Dr. Ajay Singh.

Of the ₹5,000 crore allocation, the Board decided to earmark ₹2,900 crore for micro and macro development projects, with 70% of the amount to be spent on micro-level works, and 30% on major infrastructure and development projects. The meeting also approved ₹1,500 crore for schemes announced in the State Budget, ₹100 crore for higher education and universities, ₹450 crore under regional and discretionary funds, and ₹50 crore for administrative expenses.

Under the micro-development component, the Board resolved to allocate 25% of institutional sector funds for ‘Akshara Aavishkara’ initiatives, 15% for other institutional sectors, and 60% for basic infrastructure works.

For the first time, the Board also approved earmarking 40 per cent of macro-project funds for healthcare, education and malnutrition eradication programmes, in line with the State Budget announcement.

The meeting passed a resolution seeking financial support from both the Central and State governments for the proposed Bidar-Bengaluru Economic Corridor project. The proposed four-lane road corridor spanning 400 km is estimated to require ₹8,200 crore. The Board also urged the Centre to provide matching grants to KKRDB on the lines of the State government’s support.

Members expressed concern over projects being approved in Cabinet meetings and funds being allocated from KKRDB without prior consultation with the Board. Ministers and legislators suggested that all departments must obtain KKRDB approval before announcing projects involving Board funds, and the proposal received the Chairman’s consent.

The Board further approved the release of KKRDB’s share for projects announced in the 2026-27 Budget. It also agreed to continue providing special grants of ₹25 lakh per taluk under the “Akshara Aavishkara” programme to improve SSLC examination results.

The meeting stressed the need for greater investment and employment generation in the region through sector-specific incentives in industry, tourism, agriculture and textiles. However, the Board clarified that financial incentives to industries should be provided directly by the State government and not by KKRDB.

The meeting was attended by Board members and Ministers, including RDPR and IT-BT Minister Priyank Kharge; Forest and Environment Minister Eshwar Khandre; Small Industries and Public Enterprises Minister Sharanabasappa Darshanapur; Medical Education, Skill Development, Entrepreneurship and Livelihood Minister Dr Sharanaprakash Patil; Backward Classes Welfare, Kannada and Culture Minister Shivaraj S. Tangadagi; Minor Irrigation, Science and Technology Minister N.S. Boseraju, Municipal Administration and Haj Minister Rahim Khan.

Also present were Karnataka State Policy and Planning Commission Vice-Chairman MLA B.R. Patil; Chief Minister’s Economic Adviser Basavaraj Rayaraddi; Koppal MLA K. Raghavendra Hitnal; Karnataka State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation Chairman and Sindhanur MLA Hampanagouda Badarli; MLC Bhimrao Patil and KKRDB officials. (eom)