From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Oct 20: In view of the rampant corruption and several discrepancies in the selection of candidates made by the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) in recent years, the Siddaramaiah ministry has decided to implement recommendations made by P C Hota, former UPSC Chairman, in direct recruitments made by various departments.

This decision was taken by the State Cabinet at its meeting in Bengaluru on Tuesday to enable the departments to make direct recruitments without giving any scope for irregularities.

It may be recalled that KPSC has already implemented most of the recommendations of the Hota Committee.

The State-Cabinet, has now decided to implement the recommendations by amending the Karnataka State Civil Services (Direct Recruitment by Competitive Examination and Selections) {General} Rules, 2006.

After changes in the Rules, 2006, the departments will not conduct interviews during the selection of candidates for ‘C’ grade posts (first division clerks).

Further, the State Cabinet decided to go in for reduction of 0.25 marks for wrong answers for each question. The reduction of marks for wrong answers is followed by UPSC in the Central recruitments.

However, interviews would be conducted for selection of candidates for category ‘A’ and ‘B’ posts, Karnataka’s Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister T B Jayachandra said while briefing the media after the State Cabinet meeting.

The State Cabinet also decided to implement the Hota Committee’s recommendations in departmental recruitments in order to ensure transparency in the recruitment of candidates.

In its 58-page report submitted to the State Government, the Hota Committee has made wide-ranging recommendations for recruitments.

The long pending demand of the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) cancel the compulsory Trade License system is set to be a reality with state cabinet on Tuesday deciding to amend the necessary laws to fulfil the promise.

The Karnataka Municipal Corporations (KMC) would be amended to abolish the Trade License system for MSMEs in accordance with the New Industrial Policy. The exemption, however, would apply for only MSMEs.

The decision was taken following complaints of harassment and corruption in the administration system over issuance of Trade Licenses, Law and Parliamentary Affairs minister TB Jayachandra said briefing the reporters about cabinet decisions.

The decision comes in the wake of Karnataka being ranked 9th in the World Bank report on Ease of Doing Business in various states of India.
Gujarat topped the World Bank’s list of States on Ease of doing Business followed by Andhra Pradesh and Jharkand.

With Karnataka preparing to host ``Invest Karnataka’’ Global Investors Meet in early 2016, the State Cabinet decision was expected as part of the measures to improve the Ease of Doing Business in the State.

Jayachandra said the State Cabinet also decided to provide Rs10 crore for setting up a modern Textile Training Centre at Yadgir in Kalaburagi district.

The State Cabinet meeting approved a grant of Rs 8crore for construction of District Court Complex in Chikballapur, the minister said.