Article 371(J) Act will be implemented fully, says Priyank Kharge

The Karnataka government is committed to the comprehensive development of Kalyana Karnataka and will ensure the effective implementation of the constitutional provisions under Article 371(J), Home, IT-BT and e-Governance Minister and Kalaburagi district in-charge Minister Priyank Kharge said on Wednesday.

Speaking after inaugurating a seminar on the implementation of Article 371(J), organised by the Kalyana Karnataka Horata Samiti at Sharnbasva University in Kalaburagi, Mr. Kharge said the government would not allow injustice to be done to the region.

“Shortcomings in the implementation of Article 371(J), if any, will be rectified. The government is committed to ensuring that the benefits guaranteed to the region under the constitutional provision reach its people,” he said.

Mr. Kharge recalled that the UPA-II government at the Centre, led by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, enacted Article 371(J) after Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge persuaded leaders of various political parties to support the constitutional amendment.

“Article 371(J) provides reservations in education and employment and has opened up opportunities for the development of the region. The Kalyana Karnataka Economic Mission is being introduced to accelerate economic growth in the region. A laboratory is being established in Kalaburagi under the LEAP programme, while a Global Capability Centre and an IT park are also being established in the region,” he said.

Medical Education, Skill Development, Entrepreneurship and Livelihood Minister Sharan Prakash Patil said Article 371(J) had created significant opportunities in employment and education for people of the region.

“Nearly one lakh jobs have been provided to candidates from the region under the provisions of Article 371(J). The number of medical seats available to students from the region has also increased substantially. The Kalyana Karnataka Regional Development Board has spent about ₹18,000 crore on healthcare, education and infrastructure projects. Our government will ensure 100% implementation of Article 371(J),” Mr. Patil said.

Kalyana Karnataka Horata Samiti founder-president Laxman Dasti said Article 371(J), secured after decades of struggle, was an important instrument for improving educational and employment opportunities for the region’s youth. He said the seminar series was intended to create awareness about the constitutional provision among students and young people and should be taken to other districts in Kalyana Karnataka.