The Hindu : Karnataka Cabinet approves 'flyover'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Apr 11, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Karnataka

Karnataka Cabinet approves 'flyover'

By Our Staff Reporter

Bangalore April 10. The Karnataka Cabinet okays approved four proposals of the Bangalore Mahanagara Palike for works worth Rs.42.40 crores, including the controversial flyover at the National College Circle.

Briefing newsmen on the Cabinet meeting here today, the Health and Information Minister, Kagodu Thimmappa, said that administrative sanction had been given to the Mahanagara Palike's Rs.11-crore proposal on the flyover. The National Project Construction Corporation had submitted a tender for Rs.7.99 crores.

Asked about the promise made by the Chief Minister, S. M. Krishna, that the project would be shelved in view of public opinion against it, Mr. Thimmappa said that Mr. Krishna, who chaired the Cabinet meeting, approved the proposal.

The Cabinet approved the development of junctions at 106 places at a cost of Rs.12.5 crores. Junctions at the Hudson, Queen's, Minerva, M. G. Road and Majestic circles and surrounding areas would be developed under five packages.

A Rs.6.28-crore two-year contract for maintenance of streetlights would be given to Philips, Bajaj Electricals and Crompton Greaves through tenders. The area around Kalasipalyam Bus Stand would be concretised at a cost of Rs.5.50 crore. This had been approved, he said.

VAT from June 1

The implementation of the Value Added Tax system in the State also figured in the meeting. He said that the new system would come into effect from June 1. Rules would be framed in May. By the time Presidential assent would also come. The Finance Ministers of the Southern States had agreed to implement the system from June 1.

Vikrant Tyres

Mr. Thimmappa said the Cabinet decided to clear the merger of the State-owned Vikrant Tyres with the private-owned J.K. Industries. However, the Government would retain its eight per cent share worth Rs.6 crore. There would be representatives of the Karnataka Small Industrial Investment Development Corporation on the board of the new company to protect the interests of the workers.

Approval was given for direct recruitment of 250 veterinarians on merit-cum-rotation basis. The ban on opening new colleges teaching Bachelor of Education course was removed. He said there was no proposal for starting any new colleges teaching the course. Such colleges would come under the CET system and applications should be routed through the universities concerned.

Computer education

Two programmes for introducing computer education in government high schools were approved. This entailed a Rs.17.20-crore project for purchasing computers and training students. The Centre and the State would share the expenditure in the ratio of 75:25.

The schools for training had been identified. Of the money earmarked, Rs. 8.9 crores was for purchasing computers and Rs.7.45 crores for maintenance. A sum of Rs.82 lakhs would be used for training.

Another programme with Central assistance for giving computer training would be taken up at Rs.11.65 crores. The 11th Finance Commission had approved this programme for 110 government high school students. Computer education was being imparted at 1,000 government high schools.

The Cabinet also approved the appointment of N. Jayaprakash as the Chief Flying Instructor for two years. It was decided to prorogue the Legislative Council only.

The Assembly and the Council have been adjourned sine die.

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