K'taka cuts down on years of service for seeking VRS

Bangalore, Aug 10 (UNI) The Karnataka Cabinet today cleared a proposal to allow government employees to seek Voluntary Retirement after completion of 10 years in service, instead of the existing 15 years.

Briefing newspersons here, Primary and Secondary Education Minister Basavaraj Horatti said the employees, however, should have completed 15 years before seeking VRS to avail retirement benefits such as pension.

He said the cabinet also accepted the Jagannath Shetty Commission Report on disturbances in Bhatkal during 1993 in which 17 people were killed. The report was accepted with some corrections carried out by the Home Department.

Mr Horatti said it approved a proposal to enable the Karnataka State Industrial Investment Development Corporation to raise Rs 200 crore to repay loan to avoid heavy rate of interest and seek fresh loan at reduced rate of interest.

He said the cabinet also decided to dispose of its helicopter bought for Rs 27 crore in 1999 as it was not being put to service for want of pilots.

It also gave the go ahead for starting a veterinary college in Shimoga to accommodate 60 students a year, he added.

UNI SR RG VA KP2055