K'taka spl Cabinet meeting on internal quota for SCs postponed
Bengaluru (PTI): A special Cabinet meeting, which was Scheduled to take place on March 27 to discuss the internal reservation for Scheduled Castes has been postponed in view of the Model Code of Conduct in force for the Assembly bypolls, Karnataka Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H K Patil said on Thursday.
Addressing reporters after the Cabinet meeting, he said the special meeting scheduled for Friday had been deferred following legal advice, and would now be held after April 9. He added that the date for the meeting would be fixed later.
Bypolls in Davangere South and Bagalkot constituencies are scheduled on April 9.
"The Advocate General expressed the opinion that, since this is a broad policy matter, it may amount to a violation of the Model Code of Conduct. Therefore, we have postponed tomorrow's Cabinet meeting until after the Code of Conduct period," Patil said.
He clarified that while the meeting on the internal reservation issue has been deferred, ongoing administrative processes would continue uninterrupted.
"As of now, nothing is stalled. All ongoing processes will continue," he said, adding that only decisions that were to be taken in the postponed meeting have been deferred.
The minister said the Cabinet, which met on Thursday, considered 10 subjects, including the appointment of retired District and Sessions Judge A G Gangadhar as Registrar (Inquiry) in the Lokayukta on a contract basis.
It also approved payment of about Rs 23 crore in pending dues under the Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) for treatments carried out by private hospitals between 2015-16 and 2018-19.
He said the Cabinet decided to drop the Lokayukta's recommendation to initiate an inquiry against a Public Works Department official, and approved inclusion of 379 Water Resources Department personnel appointed prior to 2003 in the respective seniority lists.
Patil further said post-facto approval was granted to the Karnataka Government Educational Institutions Land Protection and Regularisation Bill and the State Civil Services Teachers Transfer Regulation Amendment Bill, as well as to the Motor Vehicles Tax concessions law passed in the Assembly.
On queries regarding holding discussions without taking decisions, he said, "When we are not going to take decisions, how and why should we discuss? Therefore, no discussion was held," reiterating that the special Cabinet meeting would be convened after April 9.
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Karnataka govt eases age norm for class 1 admissions by 60 days
Bengaluru (PTI): The Karnataka government on Thursday announced a 60-day relaxation in the age eligibility norm for class 1 admissions for the 2026-27 academic year, following demands from parents.
Minister for School Education and Literacy Madhu Bangarappa made a statement in this regard in the Legislative Assembly.
The government’s move aims to provide relief to parents whose children fell short of the prescribed age limit, as existing rules mandate that children must be six years old by June 1 to be eligible for admission to class 1.
"There has been a demand from parents to relax the six-year age eligibility norm for admission to class 1. They have also submitted a memorandum to me," he said while announcing the decision.
Changes will be made to the admission software accordingly, he added.
Noting that there are issues regarding admissions to LKG and UKG as well, he said, "We will bring in legislation at the earliest to find a permanent solution."
The 60-day relaxation is applicable to LKG, UKG, and class 1, the minister said, adding that since LKG and UKG are not under a regulatory system, a regulatory Act or rules will be introduced by the department in the next session.
