Bengaluru, 20 June

The Karnataka Cabinet on Saturday approved a series of measures covering education, healthcare, infrastructure and administrative reforms, including the construction of Karnataka Bhavan-4 in New Delhi for civil services aspirants and a 200-bed super-speciality hospital in Yadgir.

Addressing reporters after the second Cabinet meeting of his government, Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said Karnataka Bhavan-4 would be built by the Public Works Department at an estimated cost of Rs 80 crore.

“This facility is not meant for legislators or officials. It is intended for students preparing for IAS, IFS, IRS and other competitive examinations,” Shivakumar said, adding that at least 50 per cent of the accommodation would be reserved for SC/ST students.

The existing Karnataka Bhavan is used for administrative purposes, officials said.

Shivakumar also announced a reorganisation of the Resident Commissioner’s Office in New Delhi, saying the State government would establish a dedicated mechanism to monitor Central government projects and schemes and improve Karnataka’s engagement with the Union government.

He said this would also “benefit being secured by states such as Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Gujarat”.

Shivakumar said the government was also exploring the possibility of engaging retired IAS, IRS and IPS officers in Delhi and would establish a dedicated legal cell in the national capital to handle Supreme Court cases and other important litigation involving Karnataka.

Healthcare

The Cabinet approved a major expansion of medical facilities in the state.

“We have decided to construct a 200-bed super-speciality hospital within the campus of the Yadgir Institute of Medical Sciences. Administrative approval of Rs 100 crore has been granted,” he said.

The Cabinet also approved six civil works at the Karwar Institute of Medical Sciences at a cost of about Rs 18 crore and granted administrative approval for Rs 60 crore worth of equipment procurement and upgrades at the Government Medical College and Research Hospital in Bengaluru.

The Cabinet also approved an Urban Development proposal in Kalasapura village of Gadag district under a 50:50 sharing model, with the project expected to cost about Rs 19-20 crore.

Shivakumar said a Cabinet sub-committee meeting had been scheduled for Monday to consider a few remaining matters, details of which would be announced subsequently.

Govt mulls transport fair revision amid rising fuel prises

Speaking after a Cabinet meeting, Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Saturday said that the government was examining a possible fair revision in view of rising fuel costs and operational concerns.

“At present, there is a huge difference between the price at which private operators buy diesel and the price available at our depots. The difference is more than Rs 40 per litre. This is an alarming figure,” he said.

He said the Transport Department had submitted a proposal and a report had been sought on the matter, adding that any decision would balance the financial sustainability of KSRTC with the interests of passengers.

Shivakumar also said the government had cleared the purchase of new buses for State-run transport corporations.

“We have approved the purchase of 620 new buses at Rs 235 crore. Of these, 400 BS-VI buses will be for KSRTC and 220 buses for the North West Karnataka Road Transport Corporation,” he said.

He added that the Cabinet had approved Rs 112 crore for the establishment of 11 electric bus depots under KSRTC, NWKRTC and KKRTC as part of a Government of India-supported initiative.