Government medical college in the City will begin functioning from the current academic year, said Deputy Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa.
   Briefing news conference in the City on Thursday, he said that state cabinet had given nod for handing over McGann Hospital to the proposed medical college. Infact, the team of experts from Medical Council of India who visited the City recently, had asked for transferring McGann Hospital which will serve as a clinic for students of medical college.
Airport
   In connection with the proposed airport at Sogane village near the City, DyCM informed that meeting was held at Bangalore on Wednesday, to discuss about land acquisition for the airport. The government quoted Rs 7 lakh per acre for irrigated land and Rs 6 lakh for dry land in the area notified for airport. Farmers who took part in the meet have expressed satisfaction about the price offered. Higher officials from Revenue, Industry and Infrastructure Development Departments took part in the meet.
   Separate price will be offered for horticulture lands and houses in the notified area, he stated.
Land encroachment
   With regard to the problem of land encroachment in the district, DyCM said encroached land will be cleared and government will reclaim the same for development works. Encroachment clearance operation will be carried in the district on the module of Bangalore.
   He also said Forest and Revenue Department officials will be asked to conduct joint survey and submit report on land encroachment.
   Assuring initiatives to regularise bagair hukum land cultivated by small and marginal farmers, he said strict action will be initiated against big land grabbers.
Arrack ban
   Ban on arrack will be strictly implemented in the State. Allying the apprehensions that ban may result in illicit liquor and hooch, he said  law implementing agencies will be strengthened to avoid such eventualities.
   Special task force comprising a sub-inspector and 15 constables will be setup to avoid illicit liquor and the task force will be well equipped. DyCM also sought co-operation from non-government organisations and sthree shakti sanghas in this regard.
Naxal problem
   Calling for strict initiatives to curb Naxal activities in Malnad region, DyCM said presence of Naxals is a challenge to State government. Justifying Home Minister M P Prakash’s statements that Naxalism is a social problem, DyCM said though talks should be held with Naxals to bring them to main stream but security troops should be kept on alert to avoid killing of innocents.
   Refusing to comment on Minister Iqbal Ansari’s statements about transfer of power, he said  “I have stopped commenting on such statements and concentrating more on development works.”
   MLA Araga Jnanendra, former MP Ayanur Manjunath were present in the news conference.