Cabinet okays Rs 40 crore for Invest Karnataka 2016'
The government has also approved Rs 110 crore to provide underground drainage system in 110 villages that come under BBMP limits.
Bengaluru: The state cabinet on Monday approved a budget of Rs 40 crores for ‘Invest Karnataka 2016’, a three-day event which would be inaugurated by Union finance minister Arun Jaitley here on February 3.
Official sources said the who’s who of India Inc—Ratan Tata, Anil Ambani, Anand Mahindra, Sajjan Jindal, N.R. Narayana Murthy, Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Dr Devi Prasad Shetty, Kris Gopalkrishnan, Gautam Adani and Kumar Mangalam Birla—have confirmed participation in this global investors’ conference. Besides, partner countries which have confirmed participation include France, Japan, Sweden, South Korea, the UK, Italy and Germany. Karnataka would showcase 145 projects during the event. The government has also approved Rs 110 crore to provide underground drainage system in 110 villages that come under BBMP limits, the sources added.
The cabinet approved amendments to certain sections of Tourism and Cooperative Acts to help the new industrial policy. The government decided to convert government loan of nine spinning mills into equity and waive off the interest. Other major cabinet decisions are: Release of Rs 1540 crore as input subsidy for farmers, who have lost crops due to drought. A list of 3.8 lakh beneficiaries is ready and the money would be released to deputy commissioners for disbursal; Cabinet approved a proposal to convert Krantiveera Sangolli Rayanna Pratistan into Krantiveera Sangolli Rayanna Kshetra Development Authority which would be headed by CM Siddaramaiah; Cabinet approved amendment to Karnataka State Minorities Commission Act 1994, extending the power to it on the lines with other commissions.
Zoroastrian Parsis have been added under Sub Sec 2 and given minority status; Cabinet decided to put on hold a proposal to demolish MS Building, which was earlier mooted by a committee headed by the Chief Secretary. The committee had recommended demolition of the building and construction of an integrated complex. The issue was referred to a technical committee, which stated that the building would remain strong for 30-40 years.
Siddaramaiah empowered to pick two MLCs
The cabinet on Monday left it to the discretion of CM Siddaramaiah to nominate two eminent personalities to the upper House. Two MLCs - Prof Krishna Bhat and Mr Jaggesh - nominated during the previous BJP government under quota earmarked for arts and social service would retire in a couple of months. Official sources said the council of ministers at today’s meeting authorised the CM to pick two candidates to fill these vacancies.
