Bengaluru : “Children in rural areas must develop. Every child in rural regions should be capable of competing at a global level,” said Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar.
He was speaking after participating in the “‘Nanna Shaale, Nanna Javabdari’ (My School, My Responsibility) CSR and Individual Contributors Programme” held on Wednesday at the Banquet Hall of Vidhana Soudha.
During this event, 15 MoUs were signed to develop 56 schools at a total cost of ₹206.10 crore. Prior to this, in 2026, 18 MoUs were executed to develop 33 schools at a cost of ₹85 crore. Another 12 MoUs to develop 23 schools at a cost of ₹64 crore are currently near the signing stage.
Karnataka Will Create History
“If at least 1,000 schools are reached under the CSR scheme in the coming 2 to 3 years, Karnataka will create a new history in the entire country.”
Recalling how the CSR rule requiring companies to spend at least 2% of their profits on society was brought under the leadership of former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, former President Pranab Mukherjee, and Sonia Gandhi, the DCM shared that he himself comes from a rural background and has been in public life for a long time.
“Now, I go to villages only for voting and political activities,” he added.
“Bengaluru’s population has grown from 40 lakh in the past to over 1.4 crore today, and the city has over 1.35 crore vehicles. According to recent surveys, the state’s urban population is likely to rise to 69%–70% by 2047,” he said.
Preventing Migration Can Reduce Pressure on Cities
“Every parent, including drivers and small farmers, considers good education for their children as their true asset. People migrate from rural areas to cities seeking employment and quality education for their children. By providing high-quality primary education in rural areas itself, if we can retain people in their native villages for at least 15 years, the pressure on cities can be reduced.”
“Targeting 6,000 Gram Panchayats in the state, rural schools can be developed by creating clusters in a 1:3 Panchayat ratio,” he suggested.
Utilization of CSR Funds:
“Although around ₹8,000 crore in CSR funds is collected from Karnataka, it is either not being utilized properly or is being diverted elsewhere,” Shivakumar said. “Some companies register in Mumbai, Delhi, or Gujarat and transfer the funds there. I have appealed to the Prime Minister and the Union Finance Minister to allow the state to inspect where these funds are going.”
Extend Support ‘Beyond Bengaluru’
He appealed to corporate leaders and private organizations not to restrict their CSR funds to Bengaluru city alone, but to use them to adopt government schools or build new ones in rural areas.
School Adoption Model
“Companies can assist with school building construction, teacher salaries, drinking water facilities, and infrastructure maintenance,” he said.
He added that the names of the respective organizations will be featured on the adoption certificates provided to schools and students.
Provision for District-Level MoUs
“At the district level, Deputy Commissioners (DCs), DDPIs, and CEOs have been empowered to sign MoUs directly with corporate entities.”
“Bengaluru is a global talent hub, housing 2 lakh foreign passport holders and 45 lakh people from other states.”
“Compared to Mumbai or New York, the cost of office space and living in Bengaluru is highly advantageous for investors,” he stated.
He clarified that despite political opposition to infrastructure projects like the Bengaluru Business Corridor and tunnel road projects, the government would make bold decisions and move forward.
Launch of new Department for Global Investors and NRIs
: He announced that a dedicated “Department of Global Investors and NRIs” has been launched to facilitate ease of doing business and employment for global investors and Non-Resident Indians (NRIs).
Up to 30% Incentives for Companies Investing ₹10,000 Crore
“As Chief Minister, I am leading the incentive policy formulation. Decisions up to ₹500 crore are taken by ministers, while investment proposals beyond that come to me. In the last 4 to 5 months, approval has been granted to offer incentives of up to 30% for companies investing ₹10,000 crore,” he noted.
Bengaluru: A Safe Investment Destination
“During Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s tenure, a 10-year tax holiday was granted to IT companies. After the 9/11 attacks, Americans came to India for meetings, and the American envoys at the time noted, ‘In 10 years, Bengaluru will grow larger than New York; 1 rupee will turn into 10 rupees.’ Back then, Americans approached S.M. Krishna seeking permission to start 10 international schools. Bengaluru stood out as a safe investment destination offering the world’s best climate, culture, human resources, medical colleges, and engineering colleges,” recalled the CM.
Government Committed to Supporting Companies
“The government will assist companies by providing land, incentives, and clearances. Therefore, companies generating profits within the legal framework must contribute to the education of rural children,” he appealed.
Did Not Sign Agreements on Blank Papers
“When M.B. Patil and I visited Davos, we did not sign agreements on blank sheets of paper like Chandrababu Naidu; instead, we invited investors saying, ‘Come to Bengaluru, let’s discuss.'”
“Even if called by Chief Ministers of Himachal Pradesh, UP, or Andhra Pradesh, companies will not leave Karnataka. Nowhere else in the country will you find the level of talent, doctors, education, and environment available here,” he affirmed.
No Company That Came to Karnataka Has Shut Down Due to Losses
“Apart from minor GST or Income Tax issues, no company that came to Karnataka has ever closed down due to losses or gone to NCLT,” the DCM added.
Open to Course Correction
“If there are any flaws in our thought process, vision, or schemes, come to the platform and share your feedback. I am ready to sit here for two hours, discuss, and correct them,” he concluded.
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