Government divests Guv's appellate powers

Provision for appeal against disciplinary action to be repealed

According to sources, the Cabinet gave its approval to amend rule 18 of the Karnataka Civil Service (Classification, Control and Appeals) Rules deleting the provision available for class 1 (assistant commissioners) and class 2 officers (tahsildars) from filing an appeal against disciplinary action before the Governor.

The Secretariat sources said the move was not an attempt to curtail the powers of the Governor as the aggrieved officers have the provision to appeal before the Karnataka Administrative Tribunal (KAT).

State to raise Force

In another major decision, the State Cabinet gave its approval for raising Karnataka State Industrial Security Force (KSISF), on the lines of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), by recruiting 1,060 personnel to the special unit.

According to sources, KSISF will provide security cover to State-owned dams, reservoirs, other water resource projects, power projects, nuclear facilities and government institutions.

The Cabinet decided to earmark Rs 27 crore for running the special unit of which Rs five crore will be utilised for buying weapons.

The sources added the Cabinet decided to approve the raising of a state industrial security force following the Centre turning down the State’s plea for additional battalions of the CISF to strengthen the security cover.

The Cabinet also decided to extend by 10 years the lease of the Press Club of Bangalore on the building belonging to Karnataka Government Insurance Department (KGID). It also decided to fill up vacant posts of Additional Registrar in the Karnataka Lokayukta on contract basis.

The Cabinet decided to provide government guarantee in favour of Karnataka State Financial Corporation for Rs 100 crore to raise funds through private placement bonds, the sources added. It was also decided to frame cadre and recruitment rules for the Directorate of Minorities.