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.
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.
Udhayanidhi accuses BJP of not releasing funds for TN
Gobichettipalayam (PTI): Tamil Nadu deputy chief minister Udhayanidhi Stalin on Saturday charged the BJP government at the Centre with not releasing funds to the state and accused it of "snatching" TN's rights.
Addressing a poll rally at Gobichettipalayam in the western Erode district, the DMK youth wing chief claimed the Centre has not released funds to the tune of Rs 3,000 crore for education.
"They (union government) have snatched all our rights," he charged.
With regard to the Centre's proposal for delimitation, he said chief minister M K Stalin was the first person in the country to raise the voice against the union government's move. He claimed that it was a "huge victory" for the INDIA alliance, as the bill was defeated for lack of majority after the opposition voted against it in the Lok Sabha.
Listing out various welfare measures implemented by the DMK government, he said the existing "Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thogai" (monthly financial assistance for women) will be doubled to Rs 2,000 if DMK was voted to power again.
The deputy chief minister charged that the BJP and AIADMK have tried to stall it by moving the court. "At present more than 1.3 crore women have benefited from the scheme", he said.
"Similarly, the breakfast scheme for the government school students will be extended till Class VIII", he said adding "more than 35 lakh college students across the state will be getting free laptops once the DMK government is formed".
Udhayanidhi also pointed out at the "Illatharasi" poll promise, providing Rs 8,000 worth of coupons to non-income tax paying women where they could buy or replace any household appliances of their choice.
Elections to 234 Assembly seats in Tamil Nadu will be held on April 23 and the results declared on May 4 following counting of polled votes.
