New Delhi/Bengaluru, 11 June

Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Thursday called for “true cooperative federalism” where the States and Centre work together to achieve the Viksit Bharat at the 11th Meeting of the Governing Council of NITI Aayog in New Delhi, headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Shivakumar, who ended former chief minister Siddaramaiah’s boycott of the programme, highlighted that around 40 per cent of Bengaluru's residents come from other states. “Hence, a strong push for coping with its infrastructural upgradation requires Central assistance,” he said, according to a statement.

“The State has identified and started implementing infrastructure projects worth ₹1 lakh crore in Bengaluru for mobility and making the city climate change resilient,” Shivakumar said. ““We seek higher support from the Centre under the Urban Challenge Fund or otherwise to support these programmes as Bengaluru retains its status as a global City.”

"We believe that the (Centre) and States must work as equal partners in designing solutions tailored to diverse regional realities. Karnataka remains fully committed to partnering with the Government of India and all other States to ensure that growth is inclusive and sustainable," he added.

The CM also made several suggestions, including a one-time infrastructural grant to government schools and colleges to provide quality education on par with the private sector, incentivising states for measurable improvements in nutrition, health, learning outcomes, skilling, employment generation, and sustainability indicators; building resilience against global economic and geopolitical uncertainties through investments in technology, research, and human capital.

He also urged the Ministry of Corporate Affairs to strictly enforce CSR rules, ensuring corporate funds are channelled towards upgrading rural health and education infrastructure within the given time frame. Also, he proposed that industries share their job requirements through a centralised job portal with skill parameters for the next 3 years.

"Bengaluru, beingthe hub of India’s growth, should be given additional infrastructure grants to cope with the increasing demands due to higher migration from other States. We have requested the sanction of Rapid Rail Transit Systems (RRTS) to connect central Bengaluru with neighbouring satellite towns and cities like Kolar, Mysuru, Tumkuru and Chikkaballapura," he added.

On Wednesday, Shivakumar had earlier met Union Urban Development Minister Manohar Lal Khattar and requested early clearance for projects worth Rs 13,549.6 crore, submitted under the Centre’s Urban Challenge Fund (UCF). These include an elevated corridor project worth Rs 6,287 crore, nine new sewage treatment plants (STPs) at a cost of Rs 1,350 crore and two packages of the Peripheral Ring Road (PRR) valued at Rs 5,912 crore.

Shivakumar had said that Khattar had objected to Metro Double Decker project, but he explained the project to him.]