K'taka clears distribution of cycles to girl students

Bangalore, Aug 2 (UNI) The Karnataka Cabinet today decided to distribute bicycles to girl students belonging to below poverty line families studying in Government and aided schools throughout the State on August 18.

Briefing newspersons after the meeting, primary and secondary education minister Basavaraj S Horatti said the scheme, involving Rs 35 crore, would cover 1,75,588 girl students in 38,694 Government and 24,297 aided schools. Cycles would be distributed to deserving girls by respective district in-charge Ministers throughout the State on that day, he added.

Orders have been placed with bicycle manufacturing companies like Chennai-based TI Cycles of India, Atlas Cycle Company, Avon Cycles Ltd and Hero Cycle Company. Karnataka would be the fourth State to implement the programme, after Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry and Chattisgarh.

Mr Horatti said the Cabinet decided to release subsidy this year to 8,500 students admitted to professional colleges under the payment category. This move would entail an expenditure of around Rs 24 crore.

He said the Cabinet also decided to grant 50 per cent subsidy for 45 days to poulty farmers who had less than 10,000 birds for purchase of maize. The farmers had suffered following the outbreak of bird flu during February, March and April. The subsidy burden would be around Rs 2.90 crore, he added.

The Minister said the Cabinet approved the construction of an administrative office for the Institute of Rural Management, on the lines of the one in Gujarat, at a cost of Rs 70 crore. The Centre would provide 50 per cent funds and the State Government would allot 100 acres for the purpose near Hesarghatta on the city outskirts.

Mr Horatti said the Cabinet approved the Bangalore City Corporation's proposal to raise Rs 250 crore for creating infrastructural facilities in the city limits.

He said the Cabinet also approved construction of Revenue Bhavan Complex in a three-acre area here to locate all revenue offices coming under the Bangalore Urban district. It would also have a 1,800 seat auditorium and parking facility for 300 cars.

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