BENGALURU: In a major initiative towards ensuring safety and security of children in schools, the state government is set to empower itself to monitor and regulate even private CBSE and ICSE affiliated schools.
The state cabinet on Friday decided to amend the Karnataka Education Act 1983, in accordance with the Children’s Safety Policy 2016, to empower itself to take appropriate action for the safety and security of students studying at private CBSE and ICSE schools. The state government, at present, has no role in the functioning of these institutions as they come under the Central boards concerned.
The decision has been taken in the light of the recent horrific case of food poisoning in a residential school in Tumakuru in which three students and a security guard died.
“The state has a responsibility to act to ensure safety and security of students in private Central schools. The proposed amendment will ensure equality for all students as far as protecting their interests is concerned. The amendment will also empower the state government to intervene in matters related to students’ fees as well,” Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister TB Jayachandra said after the cabinet meeting.
Modern abattoir at Sira
The Cabinet has approved a proposal to set up a modern abattoir to process sheep meat at a cost of `25 crore at Sira in Tumakuru district.
The proposed abattoir will come up on a 20 acre plot allotted seven years ago.
The abattoir would give boost to export of meat too apart from being beneficial to thousands of people who are engaged in sheep rearing in Tumakuru and Chitradurga districts.
Notice to withdraw land
The state government is set to take back 4 acres of land allotted to one S Sundaresh by the Jagadish Shettar government at Sirigandhakaval in Bengaluru as a gesture of appreciation for a freedom fighter’s family. The decision had raised a storm as the opposition parties smelt a scam behind the move.
The cabinet on Friday decided to serve notice to Sundaresh for withdrawing the land as a subsequent probe termed the allotment as ‘fraudulant and the family was not eligible for the benefit.’