BELAGAVI : Agriculture Minister Krishna Byregowda said the government has constituted a committee, headed by former vice-chancellor S Bisalliah, to look into the need for setting up agriculture and horticulture universities in the state.
Replying to a question from BJP MLA Appachu Ranjan in the Assembly on Friday, he said there is a proposal to set up a Horticulture University in Udupi and a final call will be taken after submission of the report.
The government also has plans to set up a Agro Forestry Research Station, funded by the Indian Council of Agriculture Research, on 300 acres in Ponnampet in Kogadu district, he said.
Byregowda said the government had planned to launch the ‘Suvarna Krishi Gram Yojane’, a scheme aimed to develop 100 villages in the state, but it was put off following the drought situation.
The villages were identified in Vijayapura, Tumakuru, Raichur and Chikkamaguluru districts and an action plan is being prepared for implementation of the scheme, he said.
He said the government has recruited 335 horticulture officers and 261 horticulture assistants and they will be given postings at the earliest.
Revival of ITI factory in Bengaluru
Industries Minister R V Deshpande said the Union government has given its nod for revival of the ITI factory and has approved `4,156.78 crore for revival of all its units.
The State High Power Committee has also waived the interest and penalty of `470.61 lakh imposed on ITI.