What Will Nirmala Sitharaman's Two-Day Visit to Karnataka Entail?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Nirmala Sitharaman will visit Karnataka for two days.
- She aims to connect with farmers and cooperatives.
- Inauguration of new agro-processing units is planned.
- Focus on developing the Kalyana Karnataka region.
- Engagement with local communities is a priority.
Bengaluru, Oct 14 (NationPress) The Union Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman, is set to embark on a two-day journey to Karnataka starting Wednesday, where she will engage in a variety of activities.
Her itinerary includes visits to different districts such as Kalaburagi, Bidar, Koppal, Ballary, Raichur, and Yadgir.
Throughout her visit, she will connect with farmers and farmer cooperatives. Additionally, she plans to tour agricultural training centers and processing facilities to engage in discussions.
On her social media platform X, FM Sitharaman mentioned, "Embarking on my journey through Kalyan Karnataka from tomorrow, I aim to visit various Farmers' Training and Common Facility Centres for agro-processing that have started production."
“Utilizing resources from my Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS), I have established one unit in each of the seven districts listed below:
- Vijayanagara: Peanut Butter, Roasted Peanut, Peanut Chikki, De-seeded Tamarind blocks, and Tamarind Pulp (Peanut- 200kgph; Tamarind- 100kgph);
- Ballari: Chilli Flakes and Chilli Powder (Chilli - 250kgph);
- Koppal: Fruit Pulp, Fruit Juices, and Amchur Powder (Fruit - 500kgph);
- Raichur: Chila Premix, Channa, and Tuar Dal Mill (Dal- 350kgph);
- Yadgir: Peanut Butter, Roasted Peanut, and Groundnut Oil (300kgph);
- Kalaburagi: Millet Flakes, Millet Pops, Millet Flour, and Whole Millets (Millet- 500kgph);
- Bidar: Soybean tofu and flavored soy milk (Soybean- 300kgph).
She added, "During this visit, I will inaugurate manufacturing units in four districts: Vijayanagara, Ballary, Koppal, and Raichur."
"I'm eager to meet the farmers, their families, and farmer producer organizations who stand to gain from these Training and Common Facility Centres for agro-processing set up across the seven districts of Kalyana Karnataka," she emphasized.
A social media announcement in Kannada regarding her visit has also been shared.
The Kalyana Karnataka region is noted as the most underdeveloped area in the state, facing challenges in social, economic, and educational parameters. Despite its abundant natural resources, it remains the least developed region in Karnataka. The government has approved a dedicated secretariat to enhance development initiatives in this area.
Kalaburagi, one of the districts in Kalyan Karnataka, is the home of AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge. It recorded the lowest SSLC pass percentage in Karnataka for the 2024-25 academic year, with a mere 42.43% pass rate, placing it at the bottom of the state's performance metrics.
Priyank Kharge, the son of Mallikarjun Kharge, serves as the in-charge Minister for Kalaburagi and also oversees the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj (RDPR) portfolio, along with IT and BT.