Belgaum:Karnataka Agriculture Minister Umesh Katti today said he is firm on his stand that North Karnataka be made a separate state by 2020 for better development of the region.

"I am firm on the stand the North Karnataka be granted separate statehood by 2020 for its better development", he told reporters here. Katti said the concept of small states would become a reality by the year 2020 and the country would have around 50 states as against 31 at present.

"There will be demand for such a state from the public in the coming days", he said. To a query if he feared he could be axed from his post for his statement, Katti said, "I am not worried even if I lose my minister-ship".