A blue print is being prepared for the development of Karnataka after gathering various suggestions and opinion from people for the successful implementation of the project - "Nava Karnataka Vision 2025". This was being attempted for the first time in the country, explained Renuka Chidambaram, Principal secretary to Government, Department of Public Enterprises.

She was speaking at the district-level workshop on "Vision 2025" organsied at Shridevi Medical College in the city on Wednesday.

She said that usually public reaction or interaction follows only after the implementation of projects or budgets. However, public opinion will have little or no implication after the implementation of the project and will have relevance or prominence, only if it sought before the implementation of the project. Hence, in a democratic set-up it is of valid importance to have public opinion before the implementation of Vision 2025. This will also help for the successful implementation of the ambitious project, she added.

Speaking on the occasion, Deputy Commissioner K P Mohanraj said that the district will witness various changes in the next seven years. Already, the construction of Asia's biggest Solar Park is being undertaken on 13,000 acres of land at Pavagad in the district. The interesting fact about the Soar Park is that the farmers' land has been sought on hire for the establishment of the project instead of acquiring or purchasing it from them. By doing so, the drought-hit farmers of this region will get a steady income which they would not have otherwise received from agriculture.

With the establishment of the Solar Park in Pavagad, the state will become self-sufficient in power supply. The project also aims at providing 24X7 power supply and is planning to make it a generator-free industrial area.

The construction of two new rail routes, that is between Tumakuru and Davangere and between Tumakuru and Raigad, were on. Another railway station will be coming up near Oorukeri village, where three railway routes will meet.

People from at least 20 districts will have to travel via Tumakuru to reach the state's capital. Hence, as an alternate, it has been decided to start a multi-facility hospital and a heritage hub at Tumakuru. Also, two multiplexes with 4 screens had been planned in the city which will be start at the earliest, the deputy commissioner added.

Vision 2025 blue print to be ready by December

The blue print for the Nava Karnataka Vision 2025 will be ready by December 2017. The project aims at the comprehensive development of all fields to put the state on the road to progress, said Renuka Chidambaram.

Speaking with reporters, she said that the project had already reached the third phase. In the first phase, the chiefs of the various departments listed out the problems and grievances in their respective departments and 13 fields or subjects had been created. A subject expert has been appointed for each field and an action plan was being prepared.

Also, the Authority lacks teeth and the government has been sought to strengthen the body so that it would be in a better position to function efficiently.

Speaking at the workshop Dalit activist Narasimhamurthy said that there was a need to have a primary health centre for every ward and gram panchayat by 2025. At least one doctor should be available for a 1000 people in the rural areas, he added.

Inter caste marriages; 1 per cent reservation

In order create harmony among the various castes, inter caste marriages should be encouraged and such families should enjoy 1 per cent reservation in employment and education, urged Narasimhamurthy.

Navodaya and Morarji Desai Residential Schools should be provided with additional facilities to attract more students. Parents, of late, were not keen on getting their students admitted at the government schools, he added.

Industrial area by next 7 years

The district houses 28,274 small scale industries which have provided employment to 1,61,961 people, said Surendra Shah, president of the Tumakuru Management Association.

Presenting a paper on industries, he said coconut trees were an important crop of this region and there are at least 100 coconut oil companies. Also, there are 110 rice mills and more than 25 heavy and medium industries in the district. Measures will be taken to construct an industrial area in the district in the next 7 years. Also, there was a need to focus on improving the standing of living of the workers, Shah added.

Blue for Nava Karnataka Vision 2025 to be ready by December