Cabinet okays Madiga development body ahead of Assembly polls

The State Cabinet on Wednesday gave its approval for constitution of Babu Jagajivanram Development Corporation, a move seen as a bid to woo the Madiga (Dalit left wing) ahead of the Assembly polls.

The Dalit left wing forms a majority among the Scheduled Castes population in the state. This group is seeing red at the state government for not providing internal reservation as per Justice A J Sadashiva Commission recommendations.

Briefing reporters after the meeting, Social Welfare Minister H Anjaneya said the corporation will provide loans, entrepreneurial opportunities and welfare measures exclusively for Madigas. He said a Cabinet sub-committee will be formed to study the recommendations of the Justice Sadashiva Commission.

Law Minister T B Jayachandra said the Cabinet gave its approval to distribute free text books, work books for students studying in government and aided schools from classes 

1 to 10 at a cost of Rs 152 crore.

The Cabinet gave its go ahead for replacing conventional street lamps in cities selected for the Smart City initiative in the state - Bengaluru, Belagavi, Davangere, Hubballi-Dharwad, Mangaluru, Shivamogga and Tumakuru - with LED lamps along with centralised control monitoring system

The Cabinet gave its okay for the 'Karnataka State Micro Irrigation Policy-2017' to achieve the target to bring an additional 18 lakh hectares under micro irrigation.

In another decision, the Cabinet gave its approval to provide 35 acres on the outskirts of Bengaluru to Adichunchanagiri Global Trust at 10% guidance value for construction of an orphanage, old age home, educational institution and hostel.

Another meeting today

The State Cabinet will meet again on Thursday and is likely to discuss an expert committee's recommendation to accord a separate religion status to Lingayat faith. It is also likely to discuss according official status to the state flag.

Other Cabinet decisions

Approval for second phase works at Vijayanagara Institute of Medical Sciences (VIMS), Ballari at a cost of Rs 16.06 crore Approval of Rs 36.16 crore for road development work from Siddartha Layout Diary Circle to Outer Ring Road junction at Mysuru.

Approval for filling up tanks coming in Harohalli, Bidadi hoblis from Doddabele waste water purification unit at a cost of Rs 146 crore