Karnataka GK

Area : 1,91,791 sq km
Population : 52,850,562
Capital : Bangalore
Principal Languages : Kannada

History and GeographyKarnataka has a recorded history of more than 2,000 years. Apart from its subjection to the rule of Nandas, Mauryas and the Satavahanas, Karnataka came to have indigenous dynasties like the Kadambas of Banavasi and the Gangas from the middle of the 4th century AD. The world renowned Gomateshwara monolith at Sharavanabelagola was installed by a Ganga minister Chavundaraya. The Chalukyas of Badami (500-735 AD) ruled over a wider area, from the Narmada to the Kaveri from the days of Pulikeshi II (609-642 AD), who even defeated Harshavardhana of Kannauj. This dynasty created fine monuments at Badami, Aihole and Pattadakal, both structural and rock-cut. Aihole has been one of the cradles of temple architecture in the country. The Rashtrakutas (753-973 AD) of Malkhed, who succeeded them, levied tribute on the rulers of Kannauj successively in the so-called ‘Age of Imperial Kannauj'. Kannada literature developed during this period. Outstanding Jain scholars of India lived in their court. The Chalukyas of Kalyana (973 to 1189 AD) and their feudatories, the Hoysalas of Halebidu built fine temples, encouraged literature and fine arts. Noted jurist Vijnaneshwara (work: Mitakshara ) lived at Kalyana. Great religious leader Basaveshwara was a minister at Kalyana. Vijayanagar Empire (1336-1646) fostered indigenous traditions and encouraged arts, religion and literature in Sanskrit, Kannada, Telugu and Tamil. Overseas trade also flourished during their rule. The Bahamani Sultans (Capital: Gulbarga, later Bidar) and the Bijapur Adilshahis raised fine Indo-Saracenic buildings and encouraged Urdu and Persian literature. Advent of the Portuguese resulted in the introduction of new crops (tobacco, maize, chillies, groundnut, potato, etc.). After the fall of the Peshwa (1818) and Tipu (1799), Karnataka came under the British control. Christian missionaries introduced English education and printing during the 19th century. Revolution in transport, communication and industries was evident, making way for the emergence of the urban middle-class. Mysore dynasty helped industrialisation and cultural growth. Freedom Movement was followed by the movement for the unification of Karnataka. After Indian independence, the new united Mysore State was created in 1956, and was renamed Karnataka in 1973.

Karnataka lies to the south of Goa and Maharashtra, to the west of Andhra Pradesh, to the north-west of Tamil Nadu and to the north of Kerala. It has a sea-coast of nearly 400 km (300 km with inundations).

Agriculture
Agriculture and allied activities account for nearly 56 per cent of the workforce in Karnataka State. Out of the geographical area of 1,90,49,836 hectares, 1,21,08,667 hectares area is accounted as “Agricultural Holdings” and nearly 62,21,000 farm families operate the same. Major food crops are paddy, jowar, ragi, maize, bajra, wheat, pulses, groundnut, sunflower, cotton, sugarcane and tobacco. The State contributes about 5.59 per cent in national foodgrains production.

Karnataka enjoys a prominent position on the horticultural map of India. The State is blessed with natural resources, favourable agro-climatic conditions and enterprising farming community, which offer scope for an all-round development of horticulture. It is the first state to establish a large scale Biotechnology Centre under public sector to cater to the needs of farmers of the state with an objective to produce quality-plant materials and conserve the genetic diversity of horticulture plants.

Horticulture covers an area of 15.81 lakh hectares in the State. The horticultural policy focuses on area expansion, dissemination of new technology and production and supply productivity of planting materials.

Irrigation and Power
Karnatka has the basins of the Krishna, Cauvery, Godavari, North Pennar, South Pennar, Palar and the west flowing river basins as well with a drainage area of 1,90,500 sq km. The average annual yield of the rivers has been estimated as 97,352 m.cum. The ultimate irrigation potential of the State from all sources has been estimated at about 61 lakh hectares consisting of 35 lakh
hectares under major and medium irrigation, 10 lakh hectares under minor irrigation (surface) projects and 16 lakh hectares under groundwater resources.

The Karnataka Electricity Reform Act was enacted in 1999. The Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) has been functioning since December 1999 and the erstwhile Karnataka Electricity Board was corporatised under the banner KPTCL. The KPTCL was further unbundled into the Transmission Company (KPTCL) and four Distribution companies, namely, BESCOM, MESCOM, HESCOM and GESCOM. These four were catering to about 12.50 million consumers.

The total installed generation capacity of the State is 5,836 MW. In the next 3 to 4 years, it is planned to add about 2,400 MW of additional generation capacity mainly from the following power projects: (i) Almatti Hydel Project: 290 MW: (ii) RTPS 8th unit 210 MW; (iii) Bellary Thermal Power Project 500 MW; and (iv) Bidadi Combined Cycle Project 1,400 MW.

The State has achieved 100 per cent in village electrification. Now the main thrust is on electrification of hamlets. More emphasis is being given for reduction of commercial losses.

Industry
The State has been a pioneer in industry and also had the distinction of building a strong and vibrant industrial base, which combined the strengths of a large public sector, privately owned large and medium industries and a very wide and dispersed small-scale sector. Good labour relations have helped the state achieve pre-eminence on the industrial map. In more recent times, Karnataka has emerged as the knowledge and technical capital of the country. The thick concentration of I.T related industries, bio-technology, BPO's and IPO's combined with strong research and development institutions and a large pool of qualified trained manpower have ensured that the state is now leading global player. The Government has been consistently pursuing progressive industrial policies to meet the changing needs of the State’s economy and industry.

Karnataka is one among the most preferred destinations for foreign investments in India and houses 65 of world fortune 500 companies.

The State Government has evolved a new Industrial Policy for the Textile Industry. The State is home for every sector of industry such as, Information Technology, Bio-technology, Electronics, Telecom, Aerospace, Processed Foods, Apparel, Automobiles, Banking and Finance, Mining, Steel, Cement and much more. The State is having small, large and medium scale industries providing employment to a large number of people in the State.

The State contributes 70 per cent of India’s coffee and silk, 20 per cent electronic hardware and 35 per cent of software for exports and is a major producer of spices, flowers, fruits and vegetables.

Karnataka has a progressive industrial policy in place that actively supports public-private partnership. Sector specific policies, viz., I.T. Policy, B.T. Policy, B.P.O. Policy, Tourism Policy, Agro Food Processing Policy and Export Promotion Policy are in place for focused backing. The State has simplified Labour Law, Land Reforms Act, and the Karnataka Industries (Facilitation) Act 2002 is under enactment to ease doing business in the State and wherein deemed approval clause is incorporated.

Minerals
Karnataka is endowed with rich mineral deposits. All minerals except hydrocarbons are available in the State. Important minerals are gold iron ore, copper, manganese, chromite, limestone, clay, kaonite, silica sand, molding sand, felsite, quartzite and ornamental granites, etc. The State is getting about Rs 170 crore as royalty on minerals produced in the State.

Information Technology
Karnataka – the Silicon State is the most favoured destination for IT and other knowledge based industries. The State has the most investor friendly policy. The State has taken major initiatives in the e-governance area. It has computerised all treasuries. It is programmed to implement the delivery of caste and income certificate, birth and Death certificate, old age pensions, domicile certificate, etc., under the Rural Digital Services (RDS) project.

Besides computerising government offices latest information to the farmers regarding techniques of crop production, Horticulture, Animal Husbandry, Fishery, Sericulture and Diary farming has also been computerised.

Transport
Roads : There are 13 National Highways in Karnataka State. The total length is 3,967 km. Out of the 13 National Highways, 2 viz., NH.4 and NH.7 are handed over to National Highways Authority of India, New Delhi for improvements under the Golden Quadrilateral and North-South corridor respectively. The remaining 3,008 km comprising of 11 National Highways are improved/maintained by Government of India. The total length of State Highways is 9,590 km. Lengths of major district roads, municipal roads and other district and village roads are respectively 38,247 km, 8,366 km and 1,12,958 Km.

Railways : Rail network in Karnataka is 3,100 km, which includes broad gauge (2,450 km), metre gauge (350 km).

Aviation : Bangalore, Belgaum, Mangalore and Hubli are the main airports. Direct flight facilities to major cities of India are available from Bangalore. Some international flight activity already exists in the current HAL/Domestic Airport.

Ports : Karnataka has formulated a new port policy. The strategy adopted is to use private investment for the creation of port facilities, development of new sites and supporting infrastructure, maritime related industries, and coastal shipping and port facilities for power projects. The Karnataka Industrial Investment and Development Corporation has been appointed as nodal agency for implementation of this policy. A committee has been constituted to finalise the framework of agreement with private parties.

Tourist AttractionKarnataka has numerous Tourist attractions. The former princely capital Mysore with the Brindavan Gardens and Srirangapattana nearby, Sharavanabelgola with the famous monolithic statue of Gomateshwara (57 ft high), Belur, Halebid and Somnathpura with the famous Hoysala monuments; Badami, Aihole and Pattadkal for the 1,300 year old rock-cut and structural temples; Hampi, the famous open air museum (ancient Vijayanagar); Gulbarga, Bidar and Bijapur, renowned for their Indo-saracenic monuments; Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Uttara Kannada Districts for beautiful beaches; Mangalore and Krwar for ports; Chitradurga, Bidar, Basavakalyan and Gulbarga with attractive forts; Bandipur National Park, Bannerghatta National Park are the play ground of Wild Life; Ranganthittu, Kokkre Bellur, Mandagadde, Gudavi, Attiveri are the famous bird sanctuaries; Jog, Sathodi, Shivanasamudra, Mogod, Gokak, Abbey, Unchalli. Irupu, Hebbe, Kalhatti are the mesmerising Falls; Madikeri, Kemmannugundi, B.R. Hills, Nandi Hills, Kudremukh, Kodachadri are the Picturesque Hill Stations. Dussehra, Hampi, Chalukya, Kadamba, Hoysala, Kodagu, Karaga festivals, are depicting art and culture of Karnataka. Kabini River Lodge, K. Gudi, Cauveri Fishing Camp, D handeli Wilderness Camp, Devbagh are the unique Eco-Tourism projects of Karnataka. Gokarna, Udupi, Dharmashala, Melukote, Gangappura, Saundatti, Kollur, Sringeri, Horanadu, Kalasa, Kukke Subramanya, Yediyur, Koodalasangama, Ulvi, Nanjangud are famous pilgrimage centres. Tourism Department has identified 215 tourist spots in the State. The capital city of Bangalore is also a tourist attraction with its famous huge granite structure. Vidhana Soudha and the beautiful Cubbon Park, and Lalbhag. Hampi and Pattadakal have been declared as World Heritage sites.