As coconut palms cultivated on over 44,547 hectares in 11 major districts withered owing to severe drought in the State in 2015-17, the State government has decided to compensate growers by releasing ₹178 crore.
Briefing the media on the Cabinet’s decisions here on Thursday, Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Krishna Byre Gowda said 44.55 lakh palms were damaged during the period. A large number of growers in Chamarajanagar, Bengaluru Rural, Chickballapur, Hassan, Kolar, Tumakuru, Mandya, Ramanagaram, Chikkamagaluru, Chitradurga, and Mysusu districts — many of which are JD(S) strongholds — suffered as a result.
Mr. Gowda said compensation amounting to ₹18,000 a hectare would be distributed to the farmers. In the case of palms, a compensation of ₹40 a tree will be given. He said the Horticulture Department would formulate the guidelines for providing compensation.
Cases withdrawn
The State Cabinet has withdrawn 14 criminal cases registered against activists during various protests, including dumping of garbage. Some cases were related to farmers’ activists while others concerned activists of the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike, Mr. Gowda said.
The Cabinet has decided on giving a compensation of ₹5 lakh to the kin of those killed in man-animal conflict. The government will provide a monthly pension of ₹2,000 to the family for a five-year period.
The Cabinet has given formal approval for establishing a centre for excellence in automobile, aerospace, and industrial equipment in Humnabad, Sindhanur, Yadgir and Hosapete.
The Health Department has sought a year’s time to frame a new tender contract to operate 108 ambulances under the Arogya Kavacha service. It has been decided that till then, the contract with GVK-EMRI with the same old tender rates will be extended, Mr. Gowda said.
The government has also decided to wait till the October 12 Supreme Court hearing to decide on the next course of action on reservation in promotions to SC and ST employees. That is when the court is expected to take up petitions challenging the legality of the legislation.
At a State Cabinet meeting held on Thursday, the issue was discussed and all the Ministers agreed to proceed with the matter after October 12, Mr. Gowda said. So far, nine hearings have been held in the case, he said.
Work to start on MoD lands
For expediting eight infrastructure projects in Bengaluru, the State Cabinet has decided to commence work on 45,165.84 sq.m (11.16 acres) of land, worth ₹282.09 crore, belonging to the Ministry of Defence (MoD). This follows an agreement on land swapping between the State government and the MoD.
The decision was taken following a meeting between Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy on swapping lands in August. In lieu of the MoD lands, the State government will give it alternative land on the outskirts of the city. “As per the request of Ms. Sitharaman, a Cabinet resolution has to be made for the transfer of land. Meanwhile, the State government will take up construction work on the MoD lands,” Mr. Gowda said.
With this decision, rail way overbridge, flyover, and metro projects will be expedited, the Minister added.
