Ugadi bonanza for K'taka Govt employees

Bangalore, Mar 29 (UNI) Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa today announced an interim relief of ten per cent of the basic salary for Government employees from April one.

Replying to a discussion on the budget in the State Legislative Council, he termed it an Ugadi gift to the Government employees and said the move would entail a financial burden of Rs 519 crore for the implementation of the interim relief till the final implementation of the Pay Commission.

The Fifth Pay Commission had submitted its interim report and would soon submit its final report.

Mr Yediyurappa announced that one-third of the total estimation of Rs 130 crore for the construction of circuit benches of the High Court in Dharwad and Gulbarga would be allocated in the budget. He appealed to Dharwad Bar Association President B D Hiremath to withdraw his fast-unto-death.

He said Rs 50 crore would be set apart as part of the Bagalkot package for the development of the town, affected by the Almatti project.

The Deputy Chief Minister informed that the financial component of the Legislators' Area Development Fund had been increased from Rs 50 lakh to Rs one crore.

UNI SIV GD TS1936