The state Cabinet on Thursday gave its approval for filing an affidavit before the Supreme Court, seeking that 4.98 lakh hectares be dropped from the deemed forest classification.
Briefing reporters after the meeting, Law Minister T B Jayachandra said 17.62 lakh hectares had been classified as deemed forest in the state. Revenue land with features of forest and having 50 trees per hectare is identified as deemed forest. However, a survey revealed that large tracts of land were classified as deemed forest despite lacking the required features.
Jayachandra said the government had sought reports from each district on the status of deemed forest. District in-charge ministers had been entrusted with the responsibility to ensure the reports are submitted on time. An expert committee to decide on the extent of deemed forest had also been constituted by the government. He said the government will soon file its affidavit before the Supreme Court, which is hearing a case on the status of deemed forests in the country. The government has been under pressure from local residents and legislators, especially in Malnad region, not to evict dwellers from deemed forests.
The Cabinet also gave its approval for conducting a survey to identify the extent of wetlands in the state. Once the survey is complete, the same will be sent to the Centre. Wetlands have to be classified as per the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2010. As per an estimate there are 11,000 wetlands (water bodies) in the state.
The Cabinet decided to extend “Dial 100” Emergency Response System, to all districts. Dial 100 aims to be the go-to telephone number for emergency services.
The Cabinet gave its approval for providing a government job to N S Leesha, who was injured in the Malleswaram balst of 2013.
SC/ST students to get free laptops
The State Cabinet on Thursday gave its approval for providing free laptops for 27,500 SC/ST students studying in government first grade colleges and 9,726 students in technical institutions. The Cabinet decided to invite tenders from private service providers to run 827 ambulances attached to government hospitals along with existing fleet of 711 vehicles under the 108 Arogya Kavacha scheme. The service provider will take up integration and maintenance of all the vehicles and ensure that at least one ambulance is available in a 10 km radius.
Other decisions
Approval for establishing Ultra Modern Research Centre at Belapu, Udupi at a cost of Rs 126 crore
Approval for establishing Karnataka Institute of Endocrinology and Research in Indiranagar at a cost Rs 25cr
Modernisation of Karnataka Forensic Science and Technology Centre in Bengaluru at a cost of Rs 30.16 crore
Upgradation of 22 employment exchanges at a cost of Rs 15.32 crore
4,000 motorised two-wheelers to be distributed to persons with severe disability
CCTV cameras to be installed in 774 police stations