Bengaluru: Amidst reports that the State would face deficit rain this year, the Karnataka cabinet yesterday gave nod to a cloud-seeding programme. The project was approved for proposal for Rs 93 crore and would begin in June.
Speaking to reporters, Rural Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda said theĀ department has called a tender for two years forĀ Rs 88 crore and as the bidder quoted Rs 91 crore, the cabinet approved it for Rs 93 crore.
During the cabinet meeting a slew of other decisions were taken, among them being to promulgate an ordinance to protect gazetted officers, who will face demotion or loss of jobs, as their recruitment process in 1998 by the Karnataka Public Service Commission was found to be irregular. At least 25 officers with 20-years of service are said to lose their jobs when a High Court order on the matter is implemented.
The cabinet discussed about setting up a no-frills airport at Hassan by the state government and also decided to seek a detailed project report from RITES in this regard. This will be a Joint Venture company with Airports Authority of India.
NOTA in nagar sabha or Corporation elections was also decided to be included. This provision was not there till now. Also an ordinance to to create a separate university for Raichur and Yadgir districts, currently under the ambit of Kalburgi University was decided by the cabinet, said Gowda to reporters.
JSW steels in Ballari was given 3,660 acres in 2005-06 on the basis of lease-cum-sale to set up plant and infrastructure for employees, and as per the agreement, the lease had to be converted to sale after 10 years, which the cabinet approved yesterday.