K'taka Cabinet clears Dharwad Circuit Bench building

Bangalore, May 19 (UNI) The Karnataka Cabinet today cleared the commencement of building work for the Circuit Bench of the High Court in Dharwad from July ten at a cost of Rs 66 crore.

Emerging out of the Cabinet meeting here, Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Basavaraj Horatti told reporters that the tender process for the project had been completed.

He said the Cabinet agreed to withdraw police cases pending since 2002-03 against farmers at Hirekeur in Haveri district in connection with an agitation. The Cabinet also agreed to withdraw cases pending against farmers and students as and when it received complete information on the cases and after considering its merits and demerits.

Mr Horatti said the Cabinet warned the officials not to leak any confidential information to the media and public or face action.

Despite the prevalence of a law against it, such incidents were on the rise, he noted.

He said the Cabinet also okayed minimum support price of Rs 525 per quintal for ragi, Rs 540 for maize and Rs 600 for maize in Raichur district.

The Cabinet took up 17 issues for discussion today, including dismissal of Government officials on corruption charge.

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