Kalaburagi, July 7 (SocialNews.XYZ) Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Tuesday said the state government will examine the demand for a farm loan waiver, while acknowledging that implementing such a measure is not easy.
He also announced that the government has set a six-month deadline to fill 72,000 vacancies across key departments and unveiled a series of initiatives aimed at boosting employment, strengthening rural education and improving revenue administration.
Addressing a press conference after the Kalaburagi Divisional Progress Review Meeting, the chief minister said the government is committed to balanced regional development and reducing migration from rural areas by creating employment opportunities in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities.
Responding to a question on farmers' demand for a loan waiver, Shivakumar said the demand has been raised by farmers, but waiving farm loans is not easy.
He said the government has implemented loan waivers in the past, including when the Manmohan Singh-led government was in power at the Centre, and they will examine the matter.
On the shortage of staff in the Agriculture Department, he said the government has initiated the process of filling 72,000 vacant posts across departments, including Home, Agriculture, Revenue, Education and Rural Development. A six-month deadline has been set to complete the recruitment process in all these departments.
The chief minister said the government has decided to promote industrial growth in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities to generate employment locally and reduce migration to urban centres. He said the objective is to create jobs where people live so that they are not forced to migrate to cities in search of employment.
To attract industries to cities such as Kalaburagi and other Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, they have decided to provide an additional 0.6 premium Floor Area Ratio (FAR) and allow up to 2x the FAR, making land more affordable for industries. The required amendments will be introduced through the Urban Development Department.
Shivakumar said the government also plans to establish Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)-funded schools at the gram panchayat level to improve the quality of education in rural areas. He said the aim is to prevent rural students from migrating to cities in search of better education.
Companies can invest Rs 10-15 crore each to construct school buildings and create the necessary infrastructure, and the government plans to establish around 2,000 such schools. He said companies need not give money to the government; instead, they should directly construct schools, and separate guidelines will be issued for teacher recruitment.
The chief minister also announced the launch of the 'Yuva Setu' programme to facilitate private sector recruitment through a skill-based employment exchange. He said companies can recruit skilled youth through the Yuva Setu platform, and the Skill Development Department will provide the necessary training.
He added that they will advise industries to give preference to local candidates, but the government will not interfere in their recruitment process, and the extent of local preference will be finalised after discussions with industry representatives.
Highlighting reforms in the Revenue Department, Shivakumar said the government has launched a major initiative to issue e-Khatas, resolve land record issues, complete survey and subdivision (podi) works and implement the e-Swathu programme.
He said the government has decided to provide these services and documents free of cost and is also taking steps to convert villages into revenue villages.
The chief minister said the government's objective is to ensure that poor families receive property records without having to pay bribes. He said they want every eligible beneficiary to receive khatas without corruption, and that issues relating to podi, e-Khata, or any other land records should be resolved efficiently.
He added that he will personally visit every district to distribute khata certificates, and that officials have been instructed to ensure there are no obstacles to delivering these services to the poor.
He further said Deputy Commissioners have been directed to identify Revenue Department land in every Assembly constituency and distribute around 10,000 residential sites to economically weaker families.
Shivakumar also announced that a textile park will be established in Kalaburagi at an estimated cost of Rs 320 crore.
On crop insurance, he said concerns have been raised among farmers due to deficient monsoon rainfall. The government has estimated crop insurance claims worth Rs 580 crore, of which Rs 243 crore have already been settled, and orders have been issued to release another Rs 225 crore. The remaining crop insurance compensation will be released as soon as possible.
Source: IANS
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