Budget 2026-27: Kalyana Karnataka Chamber of Commerce and Industry seeks stronger industrial push for Kalyana Karnataka

The Kalyana Karnataka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KKCCI) has expressed concern that the State Budget for 2026-27 has not adequately addressed development and industrial needs of Kalyana Karnataka, which continues to lag behind other parts of the State.

In a statement issued on Friday, Sharanabasappa M. Pappa and Shivaraj V. Inginshetty, president and secretary of KKCCI, said that while the Budget contains a few announcements for the region, a stronger and more targeted push for industrial investment was necessary to bridge the long-standing regional imbalance highlighted by committees such as the Nanjundappa Committee and the recently submitted Govind Rao Committee.

The chamber welcomed the approval of ₹390 crore for infrastructure development of the PM MITRA Mega Textile Park in Kalaburagi, but expressed concern that only ₹75 crore has been allocated in the current Budget. According to KKCCI, the entire approved amount should have been sanctioned in the present financial year to accelerate development of the project. It noted that among the seven PM MITRA parks announced across the country, the Kalaburagi project currently lags behind others in terms of progress.

The chamber also welcomed the proposal to widen and develop the 135-km Waghdari–Ribbanpalli road at an estimated cost of ₹400 crore with 50% funding support from the Kalyana Karnataka Region Development Board (KKRDB), stating that improved connectivity would strengthen trade and economic activity in the region.

Similarly, the announcement of a silk park in Kalaburagi was appreciated as a measure that could promote sericulture and textile-based industries. However, the chamber urged the government to go a step further by establishing a dedicated toor dal park or agro-processing park in the district. Kalaburagi, widely known as the “toor bowl of Karnataka”, produces GI-tagged Kalaburagi Toor Dal and houses several dal processing units, and a specialised park could promote value addition and exports, it said.

The chamber also welcomed the proposal to establish a knowledge park at Jewargi through KKRDB funds, stating that the initiative could contribute to promoting education, research and skill development in the region.

At the same time, KKCCI emphasised the need for a stronger industrial focus for Kalyana Karnataka. It urged the government to consider a separate industrial policy for the region under Article 371(J), establishment of a semiconductor park, creation of an Artificial Intelligence Centre of Excellence, and development of industrial clusters and MSME ecosystems in Kalaburagi and neighbouring districts.

KKCCI said balanced regional development was essential for Karnataka’s long-term economic growth and urged the government to ensure time-bound implementation of projects announced for Kalyana Karnataka.