BANGALORE: The continued Budget session of the state Legislature starting from June 23 is set to be the longest the state has ever witnessed, with the session scheduled to conclude only on July 30.
The state Cabinet took a decision in this regard on Wednesday.
“The session would have 30 working days, which is the longest so far. The decision has been taken with the commitment to hold Legislature session for at least 60 days in an year. In recent years it has fallen drastically to the levels of 35 - 40 days,” said Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister T B Jayachandra.
He told reporters that the session would ensure more focused discussions as it has been decided to go back to the system of department-wise discussion for demands of grants.
Instead of the earlier practice of the Chief Minister giving reply to the entire Budget debate, the new system entails the ministers of the departments concerned replying to the debates on their respective departments.
The Cabinet also approved the proposal for capacity expansion of Ball Mills of the Hutti Gold Mines at a cost of Rs 50 crore.
The Cabinet also approved the long-pending demand of clearing the arrears under the Fourth Pay Commission for C and D group employees of the Mysore Minerals Limited.
The arrears for A and B group employees, however, would be paid to only those who are not facing any corruption charges, Jayachandra said.
Exclusive Authority to Protect Tanks
An exclusive body for protecting and preserving nearly 28,000 tanks in the state would soon be a reality, with the Cabinet deciding to introduce the Tank Authority Bill in the next session of state legislature.
However, tanks within the jurisdiction of City Corporations like the BBMP would not come under the proposed authority as these lakes are already under the jurisdiction of Lake Development Authority.
The Lake Development Authority too would be empowered further, the minister added.
Tool Room Training Centre in Chikkodi
Sugar Minister Prakash Hukkeri, who is all set to quit the ministry after getting elected to the Lok Sabha, has convinced the state Cabinet to set up a Government Tool Room Training Centre in Chikkodi at a cost of Rs 28.65 crore.
PDS Adalats
The grievances of consumers availing food grains through fair price shops could get a speedy redressal with government planning to conduct PDS Adalats. The officials of Food and Civil Supplies Department would visit fair price shops between 1 and 10th of every month. The cabinet approved the proposal of appointing retired IAS officer D N Naik as the Special Officer of Permanent Backward Classes Commission, which is set to conduct caste census of the BCs.