Karnataka to seek Rs 1,545.23 cr assistance from Centre for infra damaged by rains
Bengaluru (PTI): The Karnataka Cabinet on Thursday decided to submit a "recovery and construction" memorandum to the Centre seeking financial assistance of Rs 1,545.23 crore under NDRF to undertake reconstruction of infrastructure damaged by heavy rains and floods during the monsoon period.
Briefing reporters about the Cabinet decision, Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H K Patil said, other than crop loss, more than Rs 5,000 crore worth infrastructure and public property like roads, bridges, check dams, and public buildings have been damaged due to rains and floods.
"As per the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) norms, the funds we may get is about Rs 1,545 crore, so we will submit a memorandum seeking assistance from the Government of India. Such assistance has been provided to states like Maharashtra in the past. We will be seeking this time. This is the first time we are asking," he said.
Noting that joint inspections are on regarding crop losses separately across the state, the minister said once that is over, relief will be provided to farmers with the funds available with the state government.
"We expect crop loss relief from the Centre as per norms," he said in response to a question.
The Cabinet also approved establishment of eight 'Technology Business Incubators (TBIs) 2.0' with an allocation of Rs 80 crore for a period of five years under the Karnataka Startup Policy 2022-27.
The minister said each TBIs will be allocated Rs 10 crore.
Approval was also accorded for the action plan to undertake ward development and infrastructure development works in the jurisdiction of five Bengaluru City Corporations under the Greater Bangalore Authority with a grant of Rs 1,055 crore under the Chief Minister's Infrastructure Development Programme.
"This is a new allocation to these corporations," Patil said responding to a question.
Also approved was the action plan to undertake asphalting works of main and sub-main roads in five Bengaluru City Corporations under the jurisdiction of Greater Bangalore Authority under the capital support scheme for special infrastructure at an estimated cost of Rs 1,241.57 crore.
Decision was also taken regarding the fixing of land compensation of Rs 1.50 crore per acre to Terra Firma Biotechnologies for Integrated Solid Waste Management (ISWM) in Bengaluru city.
Approval was given for the development of four ports in the state's cost -- Karwar, Old Mangaluru Port - Bengre Side, Old Mangaluru Port- City Side, and Malpe berth on a Repair-Operate-Maintain-Transfer (ROMT) basis, under the public private partnership (PPP) model, at an estimated cost of Rs 40.12 crore.
The Cabinet also approved for the PWD department to construct 2,200 class rooms in various government schools of the state at an estimated cost of Rs 360.01 crore.
Approval was given to obtain technical and management services under the Karnataka Strengthening Coastal Resilience and Economy (K-SHORE) project at an estimated cost of Rs. 20.47 crore.
Also approved was for the purchase of equipment and construction works required for the establishment of a Cancer Care Unit at Karwar Medical College premises at a total estimated cost of Rs 31.63 crore.
The consent was given to formulation of separate cadre and recruitment rules for Karnataka State Reserve Police-KSRP and India Reserve Battalion-IRB units. Under this minimum qualification required has been changed from SSLC (class 10) to PUC (class 12), Patil said.
Administrative approval was also granted to establish an in-house technical development unit named "Cauvery IT Cell" for the Department of Registration and Stamps for maintenance and technical assistance by outsourcing from the human resource development agency as per the Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurements Act and Rules at a cost of Rs 69.13 crore for a period of 5 years.
The minister said that administrative approval has been given to purchase 241 vehicles of various models for the Police Department in the year 2025-26 at an estimated cost of Rs 34.95 crore.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
BJP to fight Assam polls on twin planks of development, secure state
Guwahati (PTI): In a bid to win the Assam Assembly elections for the third time in a row, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday advised the state BJP brass to fight on twin planks: development and a secure state.
Shah, who wound up a two-day visit to Assam, held a nearly two-hour-long meeting with senior leaders of the BJP state unit at the party headquarters here, with a focus on discussing strategy for the state elections, expected in March-April.
Briefing reporters after the closed-door meeting, BJP Assam president Dilip Saikia said, "Development and a secure Assam will be our twin electoral planks."
He also said that Shah, known for his expertise in electoral politics, has offered valuable suggestions, and based on it, an action plan to retain power in the state will be formulated soon.
“Discussions were held in detail on our organisational and political calendars. Shah ji offered some very valuable suggestions, and we will implement those at the earliest…We will share more details on the action plan soon,” Saikia said.
He further said that the Union minister exhorted the state party leadership to ensure that not only do they secure a ‘massive landslide victory’ but also bag more seats than in the previous election.
The BJP currently leads a coalition government in Assam with the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and United People's Party Liberal (UPPL), while the Bodoland People's Front (BPF) has also extended support.
In the 126-member Assembly, the BJP now has 64 legislators, while its allies AGP, UPPL and BPF have nine, seven and three memnbers, respectively. In the opposition camp, the Congress’ strength is 26, while AIUDF has 15 members and CPI(M) one. There is an Independent legislator also, belonging to Raijor Dal.
Saikia said that the party will continue to contest the state polls in coalition with its NDA allies, which was also favoured by Shah.
Dismissing reports of chinks in the ruling coalition, the Lok Sabha MP said, “As far as the NDA is concerned, we are united in Assam. There could be discussions about some issues on individual party forums.”
The saffron party has maintained that its alliance with the regional parties will continue, and formalities like seat-sharing arrangements are being worked out.
Shah, who was on his second visit to the state within a month, attended two other events in Dibrugarh and Dheamji earlier in the day. He left for West Bengal after the meeting at the Guwahati state party headquarters.
