K'taka okays agri land conversion for industrial use

Bangalore: The Karnataka Cabinet cleared proposals seeking conversion of 3,400 acres of agricultural land for industrial use by three major cement companies in the state.

The three companies that are seeking conversion of farm land are Chettinad Cement for 573 acres at Chincholi in Gulbarga district, Dalmia Cements’ 1,101 acres at Gokak in Belgaum district and Sagar Cements’ 1,790 acres at Chatrashale in Gubarga district.

Briefing reporters after the Cabinet meeting, Karnataka Rural Development and Panchayatraj minister Shobha Karandlaje, said, “The cabinet in all cleared seven applications totalling 4,300 acres, of which 3,400 acres is from these cement industries. The applications were cleared earlier by the high-level committee pending Cabinet approval.”

The other applications cleared were from Vivekananda Ashram for 76 acres at Shiggaon in Haveri district, Murali Industries’ 415 acres in Chitapur, Gulbarga district, Shamanur Sugars 191 acres in Harappanahalli, Davanagere district and Sovereign Distilleries’ 91 acres in Sindanur of Raichur district.

The Cabinet has also decided to convene the 10-day legislature session at Belgaum from January 16. To address shortage of teaching staff in high schools, it has been decided to appoint 2,500 teachers on contract basis. The vacancies were created following the elevation of high school teachers to pre-university colleges.

The willing teachers would be paid a honorarium of Rs 4,000 per month.

The Karnataka cabinet has decided to continue services of Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) for Bhagyalakshmi scheme. The scheme is for the welfare of girl children from poor families.