President Approved Development Board for Hyderabad-Karnataka Region

President Pranab Mukherjee on 23 October 2013 issued an order, allowing the Karnataka Governor to establish a separate development board for the Hyderabad-Karnataka region under Article 371 J of the Constitution. The region comprises Gulbarga, Bidar, Raichur, Koppal, Yadgir and Bellary districts.

The Presidential Order was issued under the “State of Karnataka (Special Responsibility of Governor for Karnataka-Hyderabad Region) Order, 2013” under Article 371J of the Constitution. The Board has come into force with immediate effect.

About the Development Board

• The Development Board will ensure equitable allocation of funds to meet the development needs of the region from the State Budget.
 
• The board will promote employment from the region by providing for local cadres in service; and provide reservation in educational and vocational training institutions to the locals.

The Union Cabinet on 8 October 2013 approved a notification for issuing Presidential order to establish a separate development board for Hyderabad-Karnataka region in Karnataka.

About Article 371 J of the Constitution

• Article 371-J of the Constitution grants special status to six backward districts in Hyderabad- Karnataka region, with provision for reservation in education and jobs for locals.

• Under the Article 371 J, the President is empowered to entrust the state Governor to establish a separate board to ensure equitable allocation of funds in the state's budget to meet the development needs of the region.

• Article 371 J was inserted in the Constitution through the Constitution (Ninety-Eighth Amendment) Bill, 2012.