Get ready, Karnataka! B.R. Patil, the Vice-Chairman of the Karnataka State Policy and Planning Commission, has fired the starting gun for districts in the Mysuru division. Why? He insists that district planning reports must reach the committee before the budget is prepared. And there's a firm deadline – December 15! Speaking at the progress review meeting for eight Mysuru division districts, held at the Zilla Panchayat recently, Mr. Patil made his expectations crystal clear. "Although decentralisation has been accepted in principle, meetings of the district planning report preparation committee must be held regularly," he stressed. But wait, there’s more! He wants these reports to zoom in on sustainable development, GDP growth, and the Human Development Index (HDI). That’s right — it’s all about smart growth with people’s welfare at the heart. Mr. Patil also called on officials to dig deep into existing district conditions while planning. "Focus on the district’s pressing issues and make sure the schemes do not overlap," he ordered. Efficiency is the name of the game. And how do we boost the Human Development Index? By drawing up plans that match available grants, always keeping the positive outcomes firmly in mind, Mr. Patil advised. On the ground in Mysuru, Zilla Panchayat CEO Yukesh Kumar shared some insider news. Taluk-level planning committee meetings, led by local MLAs, happened from November 4 to 15 across nine taluks. A consolidated report will follow after the big district-level meeting. Mandya’s Zilla Panchayat CEO K.R. Nandini is also on board, saying the district plan zeroes in on sustainable progress in education, agriculture, and nutrition — the key pillars for happier, healthier communities. Adding fuel to the fire of progress, Basavaraju S., Senior Director of the Planning Department, wowed the meeting with a presentation. He showed which districts are racing ahead, which sectors need a push, and how to roll out projects that actually work. Topping off the powerhouse panel were Government Secretary Raman Deep Choudhary, CEOs from Hassan, Chikkamagaluru, Chamarajanagar, and Mangaluru districts, and many local officials. With such a dream team at work, Karnataka’s districts are set for steady, thoughtful growth, rooted in strong planning and clear deadlines. The countdown to December 15 is on — will every district rise to the challenge?