Bangalore:
Karnataka Cabinet on Wednesday decided to constitute an Agricultural Prices Commission to fix suitable prices for the produce of farmers.
According to officials, farmers are always facing problems due to indeterminate prices for their produce and most of the time they do not even get back the costs incurred.
They said the Commission would consist of farmers, agriculture experts and agro-economist, adding, the government would fix suitable prices based on the scientifically worked out recommendations of the Commission.
The Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, put its stamp of approval for repairs and renovation of 216 treasuries at an estimated cost of Rs 36.58 crore, Law Minister T B Jayachandra said in a media briefing.
Construction of 11,000 police houses at an estimated cost of Rs 1,818 crore was given the go-ahead by the Cabinet, which also cleared a proposal to extend health insurance scheme "Vajpayee Arogyashri" -- so far limited to BPL households -- to above poverty line (APL) families also.
Administrative approval was given for remodelling of Narayanapura left bank canal and its network -- extension, renovation and modernisation -- at an estimated cost of Rs 4103.50 crore.
The Cabinet also decided to establish a ground water directorate.
The government would recommend to the Railway Ministry to name the Bangalore city station as "Krantiveera Sangolli Rayanna Railway Station". Rayanna was a legendary warrior of Kittur kingdom in the 18th century and fought the British.
The Cabinet has also decided to make it mandatory for Ministers to stay put in the headquarters (Bangalore) for a minimum of three days in a week and make them accessible to the step. Steps would be initiated for speedy disposal of files, for which a tracking system would be put in place.
The government would continue to procure paddy from the State's farmers at a minimum support price of 1,600 per quintal though market prices are ruling at 1100-1200 to encourage them, Jayachandra said, adding, the Government would meet all its rice requirements from within the State.
Jayachandra said the Cabinet decided to allow registration of properties in Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) areas having improper 'Khatas' (Khata B).
A Khata certificate in a computerised format, as it is issued now by the BBMP, contains the municipal number of the property concerned, the name of the person in whose name the Khata stands and the Property Identification Number (PID number).
This decision is expected to raise about Rs 1,000 crore revenue to the Government as 80 per cent of the property in BBMP areas have Khata B, by way of stamp duty and registration fee, according to the Minister.
