Cabinet decides to order probe into supply of low quality school uniforms

BENGALURU: The state cabinet,which met on Thursday under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, discussed the issue of setting up the Fifth Finance Commission and authorised the CM to name its chairman and two members.

Briefing media persons after the cabinet meeting, Law Minister H K Patil said the cabinet discussed the pending bills of vendors who supplied uniforms for government schoolchildren, as 90 per cent of uniforms supplied from the central warehouse were found to be of low quality, and funds had also been released by the previous government. Hence, it was decided to order a probe and taken action against the vendors and those who ordered the purchases.

He also said the quality of school uniforms supplied by the Karnataka Handloom Development Corporation (KHDC) was of good quality and hence, it was decided to release Rs 14. 48 crore to the corporation.

On the drought situation in the state, the minister said the govenment has sought factual reports and more details are awaited. An announcement on the drought-affected taluks will be made in the next cabinet meeting, he said.

Patil also said it has been decided to levy a service charge of Rs 14.16 each for issuance of smart cards under the Shakti free bus travel scheme for women. The deadline for issuing the smart cards has been extended by six months, he added.

The KSRTC will buy 250 new buses at a cost of Rs 100 crore, the NWKRTC will purchase 375 buses at a cost of Rs 150 crore, KKRTC will buy 250 buses at a cost of Rs 100 crore while th BMTC will introduce air-conditioned electric buses for Rs 150 crore, the minister said.

Other Decisions

Rs 13 crore additional grants for construction of warehouses

Rs 162.80 crore for setting up superspeciality hospital in Kalaburagi

Rs 29.70 crore for setting up hostel in Koppal

Amendment to Karnataka Gram Swaraj and Panchayat Raj Acts to benefit Thirthahalli, Hosanagara, Sagar and Soraba taluks, excluding Shikaripura and Bhadravati

Permission for 162 JoC lecturers to complete two-year BEd course with pay

The minister said a total of 17 issues were taken up, but there was no discussion on reservation for election to urban local bodies and panchayat raj institutions or the Justice (retd) Bhaktavatsala committee report on reservation for backward castes.