From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Mar 3: In a bid to build a 'stronger Karnataka', Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday released the Nava Karnataka - Vision Document 2025 - aiming at doubling of farmers’ income and creation of 75 lac additional jobs during the next seven years (2018-2025).

The Central Government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi aimed to double the farmers' income by 2022.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah released the document that focused on a unique Karnataka Model of Development based on inclusion, innovation and enterprise. It provided a governance strategy for building equitable growth across all regions of the state.

This document is a roadmap that has been prepared after extensive consultations with citizens, the CM said which will result in a definitive improvement in all these sectors and boost the state’s standing, the Chief Minister said.

The Vision-2025 scope is broad-based and specific and benefits all sections of people in Karnataka and sustainable, inclusive growth, the Chief Minister said.

Key Sectors of Vision Document

The key sectors that the document highlighted are: agriculture, energy, governance, rural development, IT/BT, infrastructure, industrial development, tourism, employment and skill, urban development, transportation, health, nutrition, education, law and justice, and social justice and empowerment.

The Vision 2025 Document aims to provide a way forward for Karnataka in the short and medium terms and is intended to serve as a bridge between different sectors and diverse interests.

Siddaramaiah expressed confidence that this government would come back to power and the Congress party would implement these and make it a reality.

The Chief Minister dismissed talk of the impact of poll results of other states on Karnataka.

Invoking Basavanna, Dr Ambedkar and Gandhiji on equality, the Chief Minister said the next seven years the government would abide by these principles.

"Without a vision, no state will develop. This is something that we are keen on and in future, we will also add more opinions from common citizens as we go along," he said.

The document has identified 13 economic and social development goals making it absolutely inclusive, he added.

In the last five years, the Chief Minister said his government had already laid a strong foundation and had also successfully implemented all the promises made in the manifesto.

"Change is possible only when everyone gets education, health, employment, equal opportunites. In this regard, the government has made honest efforts. A universal health scheme, anna bhagya, ksheera bhagya, shoe bhagya, laptop bhagya and other such schemes have contributed to make Karnataka a hunger-free state. We have taken strong steps to protect equality which has made all the difference in governance," Siddaramaiah said.
Responding to political barbs from the opposition, he said those who converted Bengaluru into a garbage city are now taking up its cause.

"We have spent thousands of crores for Bengaluru city’s development which includes flyovers, metros, suburban rail and other infrastructure projects. The government has also extended basic facilities such as roads, UGD, drinking water and other basic amenities for the 110 villages that were added to the BBMP. No government has done so much," he said.

8.5% GSDP Growth, 75 lac Additional Jobs

The plan envisages 8.5% GSDP growth, 75 lac additional jobs, all weathered road network across the state, affordable housing for all, and balanced regional development.

In the farm sector, the Document set a target of 5% GSDP growth, 70% irrigated area, 50% area under micro irrigation, and doubling of farmers’ income.

In the energy sector, it aimed at providing cent per cent household electrification, and 50% share of renewable energy in installed capacity.

In the education sector, it planned 100% enrolment in schools, and 50% enrolment in higher education.

Under the project, the government would seek public opinion on how they want their dream state to be in the next seven years, Siddaramaiah said.

The Vision 2025 Document aims at evolving a draft policy for development of the state in next seven years by seeking the opinion of the public.

Chief Secretary Ratna Prabha and Executive officer of the project, Renuka Chidambaram, were present at the function.