Southern States - Karnataka   

Revenue from online lottery to fund midday meal scheme

By Our Special Correspondent

Bangalore March 21. Contrary to indications given by the Government that online lottery will be regulated, the State's Budget proposals for 2003-04, presented in the Legislative Assembly today, seeks to utilise the proceeds to meet the cost of implementation of the midday meal scheme in government schools.

The Budget, presented by the Chief Minister, S.M. Krishna, who also holds the Finance portfolio, announced the introduction of the `Aksharadasoha' scheme to provide hot midday meals to children up to class five in government schools all over the State. The amount dedicated is Rs. 200 crore.

Mr. Krishna said the entire cost of the programme would be met from the proceeds of online lottery. As part of the Government's initiative for the development of North Karnataka and decentralisation, Mr. Krishna proposed the creation of a separate commissioner of public instruction for schools in Bombay Karnataka and Hyderabad Karnataka regions. The commissionerate will be located in Hubli.

Adult education

Mr. Krishna unveiled a proposal to strengthen the adult education council. In every gram panchayat, a `Vayaskara Shikshana Pade' will be established. It is proposed to set apart Rs. 1 crore to promote adult literacy under the programme.

With a view to providing advanced healthcare to rural people afflicted with diabetes, hypertension, asthma, and heart disease, it is proposed to promote a tele-medicine project, which will link 25 district hospitals.It is proposed to set up four cardiology referral centres of the Jayadeva Institute of Cardiology in Hubli-Dharwad, Shimoga, Madikeri, and Bijapur. The allocation made is Rs. 3 crore. Mr. Krishna announced a new programme, `Kaushalya', to impart training in trades to 5,000 SC and ST, and 5,000 unemployed women from backward classes. The sum set apart is Rs. 5 crore. It is proposed to build 15,000 Ambedkar houses at a cost of Rs. 30 crore and 60,000 Ashraya houses at a cost of Rs. 60 crore in rural areas. It is proposed to construct 15,000 houses for homeless families from the Scheduled Castes.

More funds will be provided to construct two Ambedkar bhavans in each constituency at a cost of Rs. 5 lakh each.

Considering the growth of population and backwardness of North Karnataka, it is proposed to start 75 new hostels for the benefit of SC, ST, and backward class students in Bijapur, Bagalkot, Bidar, Raichur, Gulbarga, Koppal, and Bellary districts. Thirty per cent of them will be reserved for girl students.

Under the Ganga Kalyana scheme, an additional 5,000 SC/ST beneficiaries will be covered next year. The Budget earmarks Rs. 2 crore for the construction of a `Devaraj Urs bhavan' in each district headquarters at a cost of Rs. 10 lakh each. A Devaraj Urs research fellowship will be instituted in six universities.

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