Bengaluru, 20 June

Cabinet gave its approval to the Centre’s proposal on continuation of mining in 13 tailing dumps attached to Bharat Gold Mines Limited (BGML) in Kolar. Meanwhile, it sought to transfer 2,330 acres of the defunct company for its proposed industrial township there.

Briefing reporters after a Cabinet meeting, Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister HK Patil said If mining activities are started using these tailing dumps.

Further noting that BGML, till 2022-23, had to pay Rs 75,24,88,025 as arrears to Karnataka, he said: "We will be requesting the Government of India to pay, or else, as we have asked them for the land, they may ask us to consider the amount for the land in kind -- like exchange."

Meanwhile, the Cabinet authorised Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to decide on the dates for holding the monsoon session of the state legislature.

The government has also mandated the placing portraits of BR Ambedkar along with Mahatma Gandhi during celebration of Constitution Day, Independence Day and Republic Day.

Other Cabinet decisions include administrative approval for the construction of a new outpatient block at the KR Hospital campus in Mysuru at an estimated cost of Rs 75 crore, free power and water facilities to all 46,829 government schools and 1,234 PU colleges at an estimated cost of Rs 29.19 crore, and Rs 2.37 crore for implementation of personality development programme for students at residential schools under social welfare development department in association with Rotary International-Bengaluru.

The Cabinet has also given its consent to take the help of women self-help groups in recovery of property tax and water bill dues in different urban local bodies. The property tax dues are to the tune of Rs 1,860.17 crore, the Minister said.

It was also decided to give approval for declaring 33 units of the Directorate of Civil Rights Enforcement as "special police stations", and they will get the status of police stations in dealing with SC/ST atrocities cases.

The Cabinet authorised the Chief Minister to form a sub-committee regarding issues faced by the Universities, including staff shortage.

"When the Cabinet discussed giving Rs 279 crore for six universities, concerns were raised about vacancies in old established universities, and also regarding salary and pension issues there, along development and technology import. The Cabinet has requested the Chief Minister to constitute a cabinet sub-committee to find solutions for them," he said.

Approval was also given for 7,110 km of rural roads at an estimated cost of Rs 5,190 crore, under the 'Pragati Path' scheme with external assistance. -PTI