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.
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PM Modi is controlled by Donald Trump, wants to do the same in TN: Rahul Gandhi
Ranipet (Tamil Nadu) (PTI): Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was being "controlled" by US President Donald Trump and that the PM wanted the AIADMK to capture power so that he could control Tamil Nadu Chief Minister.
Also, he claimed that the prime minister "handed out our energy security and gave away our data, besides selling our farmers and small and medium industries."
"You saw yesterday (in Parliament) the face of Prime Minister Narendra Modi completely lacking confidence," Rahul said on the delimitation bill.
"He (PM) could not even face the opposition. He was sitting sideways. And the reason is, he is controlled by the United States. He signed the India-US deal that sold our country out," Rahul said while addressing an election rally here.
He further said, "Today, if Donald Trump tells Modi to jump, Modi jumps. If Donald Trump tells Modi to lie down, Modi lies down. Why? Because Donald Trump controls Modi fully. How does he control him? He controls through the Epstein files. He controls him because he knows Modi's financial systems and understands Modi's link with Adani," the Congress leader alleged.
Just as he was being controlled by Trump, Modi wanted to do the same to the chief minister of Tamil Nadu. "That is why he wants to put AIADMK in power in TN," Rahul said.
The Union government had rejected references to PM Modi in the latest Jeffrey Epstein case files, describing it as “little more than trashy ruminations by a convicted criminal that deserves to be dismissed with the utmost contempt”.
