Declare parts of NHs as local roads, state tells Centre

The state Cabinet on Wednesday decided to write to the Centre to declare some stretches of national highways passing through cities as maintained by local urban authorities.

The move is expected to bring relief to liquor shop owners near national highways.  If the Centre approves the state’s proposal it could help in circumventing to certain a extent a recent Supreme Court order banning sale of liquor within 500 metres of state and national highways.

According to sources, of the 6,572-km stretch of national highways in the state, 858 km pass through urban pockets, including city corporations, city municipal councils, town municipal councils and town panchayats.

The proposed plan could help 70% of the 6,018 outlets, including bar and restaurants, from being shut or relocated by July 1, the day on which the Supreme Court order comes into effect in Karnataka, the sources added.

Rural service
The Cabinet decided to make mandatory the one-year rural service for undergraduate medical students only for those who have availed themselves of seats under the government quota. At present, this rule is applicable to students who take seats under various categories, including management. The relaxed rule will be applicable from the current academic year.

The Cabinet also decided to bring most of the state universities under a single umbrella legislation. A bill in this regard will  be tabled in the ongoing Legislature session.

The common legislation will ensure uniformity in functioning of universities, academic calendar of events, conduct of examinations, appointment of staff, admission process among others. Besides, there will be uniformity in the appointment of vice-chancellors and other officers of universities, the sources said.

Also, the Cabinet decided to amend Section 21 of the Roerich and Devikarani Roerich Estate (Acquisition and Transfer) Act, 1996, to omit provision relating to representation of Russian nationals on the Board of Trustees.

The Karnataka Private Medical Establishments (KPME) Amendment Bill, 2017, to regulate hospitals in the state will be tabled in the ongoing session, the sources added.

Other decisions
*Approval of Rs 172 crore for taking up works for Mahamasthabhisheka to be held at Shravanabelagola next year.

*Development of 6,615 km of mud road in 189 rural Assembly constituencies at a cost of Rs 100 crore under “Namma Hola, Namma Daari” programme.

*Dr Babu Jagajivan Ram Research and Training Centre to be established on the premises of  Nirashrithara Parishara Kendra, Magadi Road, at a cost of Rs 82 crore.

*Modernisation of the Government Press in Bengaluru at a cost of Rs 8.64 crore

*Approval for implementation of Centre’s National Health Protection scheme in state with a share of Rs 253 crore.
DH News Service